Computer Engineering vs. Software EngineeringComputer Engineering vs. Software EngineeringComputer Engineering vs. Software Engineering

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The roots of modern computer and software engineering date back to the 1830s, with the work of Charles Babbage (inventor of the first computer, the Analytical Engine) and Ada Lovelace (the programmer of the Analytical Engine). From these early roots to the development of the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) in 1945 to the modern day, computer engineering and software engineering have always gone hand in hand. Both fields follow the engineering principles of applying science and math to solve problems.

Now, computer engineering and software engineering are integral to society and business, changing the ways we work, live, and communicate.

The difference between computer engineering vs. software engineering may seem slight, and they are interrelated. However, the fields focus on solving very different problems.

The difference between computer engineering and software engineering can be summed up as hardware vs. software. Computer engineers build the hardware components; software engineers write the code that runs on the components.

Computer engineers design, build, and test computer hardware, such as semiconductors and circuit boards. They also design and build related equipment (mice, keyboards, displays) and networking equipment (routers, modems). These engineers also oversee the manufacturing and testing of hardware, and research and develop new technology and features.

Since so many products have computers inside them — for example, automobiles, medical technology, and even household appliances — computer engineers build computers that consumers never see but must rely on. These products are simply embedded in everyday life.

Software engineers program computers for specific purposes. First, they identify user requirements before designing a program. They then run iterative tests to ensure the code operates as planned. Software engineers also debug code and apply patches to make code work correctly and fix vulnerabilities.

Software engineers design and build code for every computer application. For example, they develop consumer applications, such as word processing software, games, and social media applications. They also design and build software for corporations, universities, and governments. Power plants, satellites, and space missions all run on software that software designers have designed, built, and tested.

Security is a top concern for software engineers. Hackers are experts at exploiting weaknesses in existing software. Software developers must stay one step ahead to prevent breaches. A branch of software engineering is cybersecurity. Cybersecurity engineers often have a software engineering degree but focus on protecting computer systems from cyberattacks.

Computer engineers and software engineers need different skills to succeed in their careers, and their educational tracks reflect those differences.

Computer engineers take electrical engineering courses because they’ll be designing circuit boards, memory cards, and other hardware. They also learn to test hardware using oscilloscopes and other devices.

Software engineering skills focus on programming and debugging. Software engineers also need to understand the software development life cycle and be proficient in data analysis tools such as SQL.

Depending on a specific program’s curriculum, software engineers and computer engineers usually learn the basic concepts of each other’s jobs. A software engineer needs to understand how computer hardware works to code effectively for it, and a computer engineer needs to understand software development to design and build hardware that works for its intended purpose.

Software engineers and computer engineers also share similar primary duties. For example, in each field, engineers are responsible for the following:

Despite the differences between the two roles, computer engineers and software engineers work closely together, particularly for consumer products. Software developers need to understand the hardware and use case they’re coding for, and equally essential is that computer engineers understand the product requirements and the customer base when designing their products. The laws of computer technology development affect computer engineers and software engineers alike.

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Computer engineers combine computer science and electrical engineering to develop technology that’s deeply embedded in modern society. Computer engineering specializations include building different computer components, such as semiconductors, circuit boards, and related hardware.

Besides the design-build-test process, a great deal of computer engineering is research. Computer engineers are on the cutting edge of computing technology. They develop faster semiconductors; more powerful supercomputers; and automobile chips that help make cars safer, more comfortable, and more fuel efficient.

Computer engineers design and build a computer system’s components. They create the features and interfaces that users have come to take for granted. Components include the following:

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Individuals can focus on various computer engineering areas, including power management, digital logical design, processor interfacing, and embedded systems, according to Field Engineer and OmniSci.

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Computer engineers can choose from several different specializations when beginning their careers. Some areas of interest are:

The answer to the question, “What is computer engineering?” may strike a chord with students who are interested in math and science. They may have a yen for building their own technology, or they may like to take apart computers and other devices to see how they work. Successful computer engineers share the following skills:

The following are resources for prospective computer engineering students and others who are interested in a computer engineering career:

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Traditionally, the first instruction a computer programmer learns to code is the greeting “Hello World.” That’s because software engineers program the operating instructions that let computers interact with their operators. From that first “Hello World,” software engineers go on to design, develop, and maintain computer programs that are based on system requirements and goals. Software engineers specialize in specific computer languages that other software developers have created to perform certain tasks.

The most important skill for software engineers is coding. Keeping up with the changing landscape of computer programming languages is essential. Older programming languages, such as BASIC, FORTRAN, and COBOL, have made way for new languages that provide the operating instructions for more powerful and complex computers.

Key programming languages include the following:

Before software engineers begin to code, they need to understand the requirements of the program they’re developing. This requires research and analysis before work even begins. The typical responsibilities of software engineers include the following:

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Different types of software that engineers can build include application software, system software, programming software, driver software, and cloud software, according to Coderus and Techopedia.

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Software engineering specializations include the different kinds of software design and development. Some of the different types of software are:

Software engineers are creative, curious, analytical, and process oriented. As with their computer engineering colleagues, software engineers may enjoy tinkering with computers and other machinery and are intrigued by the interface between hardware and software. Software engineers need several key skills to succeed in the field:

Software engineers also need soft skills to be successful in their profession. These skills include the following:

Software engineers can choose to specialize in different areas. Depending on their function, they may focus on coding or on managing the development process. Some specializations include the following:

DevOps combines software development and information technology (IT). Its goal is to streamline software development by facilitating communication between all teams involved in product development. Strong DevOps processes can make software development more efficient.

Front-end development focuses on creating the look and feel of software applications and websites. Front-end developers create the user interface and are responsible for the user experience. The most common examples of front-end interfaces are websites and software dashboards. Front-end code includes HTML and JavaScript.

Software engineers who do back-end development write software to which the front-end code connects the user. For example, a user clicks on a link on a website, and the data retrieved comes from a database that a back-end developer coded. Other back-end applications include underlying website architecture and scripting languages. Back-end developers have experience with SQL and Oracle. They incorporate algorithms and cache tools into their code.

Security breaches have become all too common in recent years. Security engineering is a branch of software engineering that focuses on developing security applications that prevent cybersecurity hacks and that keeps a company safe from attacks. Security engineers develop and execute security measures that include developing software, upgrading network firewalls and other protections, training employees to be security aware, and developing and updating security protocols.

Software engineers work to build software applications that play well with others. They design software applications that integrate with multiple systems. Besides software development and coding, software engineers need to understand network protocols, database development, and application coding interfaces. Examples of software integration include linking point-of-sale (POS) systems to inventory management, or linking employee scheduling applications to payroll management.

Want to know more about what a software engineer is? The following resources may be helpful:

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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the top paying states for both roles include: California — Computer Engineer ($153,730) / Software Engineer ($137,620), Massachusetts — Computer Engineer ($138,680) / Software Engineer ($119,790), New York — Computer Engineer ($126,510) / Software Engineer ($122,300), and Washington — Computer Engineer ($168,320) / Software Engineer ($138,400).

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The median annual salaries for computer engineers and software engineers are over $100,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Compensation varies based on geographic location and cost of living in a specific region, years of experience, and education. Although a bachelor’s degree is sufficient, employees with a master’s degree in either software engineering or computer engineering can command higher salaries. Some employers prefer a master’s degree.

Computer engineers earned a median annual salary of $119,560 as of May 2020, according to the BLS. Expansion of computer engineering positions in the U.S. is fairly low, with just 2% growth projected between 2020 and 2030; however, a number of openings are expected each year as workers retire or transfer to different roles. Employers include computer systems design manufacturers, semiconductor and electronic components manufacturers, and research laboratories.

Software engineers earned a median annual salary of $110,140 as of May 2020, according to the BLS. The BLS estimates positions for software engineers to grow by 22% between 2020 and 2030, much higher than for computer engineers. The largest employers of software developers are computer systems design manufacturers, the general manufacturing sector, and software publishers. Insurance companies are also large employers of software engineers.

In regions with strong technology sectors, computer engineers and software engineers are in high demand. These regions may include an entire state or a metropolitan area. However, even states or regions with smaller tech hubs have opportunities for computer engineers and software engineers.

California, Texas, and Colorado are the states with the highest levels of employment for computer engineers. The cities with the highest levels of employment for computer engineers are San Jose, California; Washington, D.C.; and Los Angeles. Other cities with high levels of employment for computer engineers include San Francisco, Dallas, and Boston. The cities with the highest annual wages are San Jose; Seattle, Washington; and Boston.

California and Texas lead the nation in the highest number of software jobs. The cities with the highest levels of employment for software professionals are the metropolitan areas of New York City, Seattle, and San Jose. Other metropolitan areas that employ many software professionals are Washington, D.C.; Boston; and Dallas. The cities with the highest annual wages are San Jose, San Francisco, and Seattle.

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Employers in all sectors, including government, manufacturing, and healthcare, have more complex computing needs than ever. They need more powerful computers and sophisticated software to run them. As a result, the demand for computer engineering and software engineering professionals is growing. How do you decide which one is the right fit?

While key differences between computer engineering and software engineering exist, both disciplines are helping to design our future. Computer engineers are spearheading research into making computers that can run operations at speeds and with computing power that were unimaginable just 20 years ago. Software engineers are teaching computers to think for themselves and to analyze data in thousands of gigabytes.

Whether choosing computer engineering or software engineering, however, these professionals do what engineers have always done — solve problems with math and science.

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Infographic Sources

Coderus, “Software 101: A Complete Guide to the Different Types of Software”

Field Engineer, “What Is Computer Engineering?”

OmniSci, Embedded System Definition

Techopedia, Software Engineering

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2020, 17-2061 Computer Hardware Engineers

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2020, 15-1256 Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers