Software Development / Software Engineering

[beta]

I am in the process of deciding which university course to go on, and I'm a little confused about the differences between software development and software engineering - can anyone shed any light?

[Fantatier]

well software engeneering is more the theory.
ie its more the process before the actual coding.

all the planing, modeling and such...
nowadays heavy UML presence

software engeneering is a part of software development (and much more important imho )

this should clarify a bit
http://www.hyperthot.com/pm_sdm.htm

[buntine]

Software Development is based on teaching you the SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle), which consists of four major stages; Planning, Analysis, Design, and Implemenation.

You will learn such things as determining business requirements, modelling data objects, designing databases, developing software to meet requirements, writing documentation, implementing solutions, designing standards, etc, etc.

Its a very interesting field. But I warn that you must posess a prior interest in development or you will find the entire thing extremely boring and difficult.

Regards.

[the tree]

Originally posted by buntine
Its a very interesting field. But I warn that you must posess a prior interest in development or you will find the entire thing extremely boring and difficult. I'd say this applies for both courses.
Just out of interest: what University are you considering?

[ray326]

Software Engineering is a way to proceed with "software development" using "engineering-like" principles and practices. The three computer related disciplines you might compare to see exactly what fits your interests are Software Engineering (SE), Computer Science (CS) and Management Information Systems (MIS).

[beta]

Thanks for the replies - they've give me a better understanding now.

I've recieved offers from The University of Liverpool for Software Development and John Moores University for Software Engineering.

[beta]

Which one would you suggest studying s a degree?

[NogDog]

"A rose by any other name..."

Software Engineering and Software Development are just names. The only way you can really judge the difference between the two is to take a look at the specific degree requirements and course descriptions for each school's degree program.