Are We Really Engineers? • Hillel Wayne

See Are We Really Engineers? • Hillel Wayne on www.hillelwayne.com

Programmers tend to have a certain image of what engineering is. This image makes us think we’re slackers or we’re incredibly different. This leads us to discount how much programming can be like engineering. Here Hillel makes a three part series looking into if we can call ourselves engineers.

He interviews former engineers who are now programmers who mostly agree that programming can be engineering. Of course, not all programming is engineering much like there’s a gap between electricians and electrical engineers. There are many canards we have of engineers (needing licensing, high stakes, meticulous and all) which aren’t always applicable.

The main differences are that software is far more consistent and it can iterate faster. Software is even being relied on to fix hardware issues. Whether it’s chip design or a vital security feature on aircraft needed to compensate for cutting corners. Software also has softer constraints since we can modify them by getting better instead of having to obey physics.

Seeing that we’re not so different, programming can learn a few things from traditional engineering. Things like being methodical, having discipline and responsibility (which engineering credentials try to signal). Likewise, engineers can learn from programming, things like being open and embracing version control. Also, how to write a frickn’ website?

In all, it’s a great series worth reading. I think we can improve our field by learning from others, much like how we can learn to look shit up like doctors.

These insights are in the form of a 32 minute talk if you prefer that instead.