Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Information Technology may, at first
glance, all seem like interchangeable words to say the same thing. However, each of these are
unique in their own way with their similarities being a connecting factor.
Computer Science as described by the Merriam-Webster dictionary is "A branch of
science that deals with the theory of computation or the design of computers." In other words, it
is a form of science that focuses on the designing of computer systems or the computations that
they perform. While Software Engineering is described as "A branch of computer science that
deals with the design, implementation, and maintenance of complex computer programs."
Meaning that, this section of Computer Science focuses specifically on the programs that allows
the machine that is the computer to execute all the computations that we take for granted like our
operating systems and word processing application that this report is being written with. Lastly,
we have Information Technology which is described as "The technology involving the
development, maintenance, and use of computer systems, software, and networks, for the
processing and distribution of data." This indicates that Information Technology focuses on
both the hardware and software components of computer systems, but more so in the means of
managing information. From how the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Computer Science,
Software Engineering, and Information Technology, Computer Science looks to be a broad field
that encompasses both Software Engineering and Information Technology.
Since Computer Science is a broad spectrum it would only be reasonable to say that there
are many fields of study and/or work that falls under the scope of Computer Science like
Computer Network Architects, Computer Programmers, and Web Developers. The job of a Web
Developer is straight-forward. They develop websites. However, that does not mean the job is
easy as a web developer your responsibility would be to create and design the website on top of
the more technical aspects of it. This includes the speed of the website (its performance) and how
much traffic it can handle (its capacity). I would say that this field would fall under the category
of Information Technology because a website is a tool to store and share the information you
want with others around the globe. Computer Network Architects (CNA) also fall under the
category of Information Technology since the responsibility of a CNA is to "...design and build
data communication networks..." However, Computer Programmers would fall under the
Software Engineering category due to their responsibilities are to write and test code for
application on a computer. They also turn the programs that software developers create into
something that the computer can understand and use.
Being a software developer would be something I would be interested in
pursuing. This would be because I want to develop video games as a career. Software developers
are also the creative minds behind the applications and programs we use daily.
1. Computer Network Architects. (n.d.). Retrieved November 08, 2017, from
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-network-architects.htm
2. Computer Programmers. (n.d.). Retrieved November 08, 2017, from
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm
3. Computer Science. (n.d.). Retrieved November 07, 2017, from
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/computer%20science
4. Information Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved November 07, 2017, from
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/information%20technology
5. Software Developers. (n.d.). Retrieved November 08, 2017, from
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm
6. Software Engineering. (n.d.). Retrieved November 07, 2017, from
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/software%20engineering
7. Web Developers. (n.d.). Retrieved November 08, 2017, from
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm