>I almost feel like I need to pass out virtual beer [or comparable beverage], as this type of discussion should usually occur over a few!
>
>Software/application development...science, art...or craft?
>
>Just curious what opinions of others are....I've always viewed it as a craft more than anything else.
>
>Kevin

Kevin;

Mike mine a Guinness also, but please forget the virtual beer. A proper pint glass will do nicely to hold the brew!

I have stated my feelings on this on several occasions. My background is electronic engineering and I have not been able to accept the term “software engineer”, any better than the term “sanitary engineer”. So in my book I have to exclude software developers as engineers.

As for “science, art...or craft”, I agree with Bonnie that art and craft are close to each other. Science? Apply the scientific method to software development. How many ways are there to successfully complete any given task? How many tools can do the same thing? No, it does not look like science is a proper term to relate to software. Chaos perhaps but not science.

Art? Yes, there is a great deal of creativity required of any software development. You could compare a software application to a painter’s canvas. There are so many ways to express the desired result.

In reality software development may be a “bastard child”, which does not really fit into conventional thinking. It may be in a category of its own. I see a combination of strong mathematical, logic, business skills, experience in relevant industries and endeavors related to the final product as well as creativity being applied to any software offering.

Tom