Misconceptions About the Software Engineering Field

There's a common misconception that software engineers are abundant and the field is easy to enter. Let me share a different perspective:

Yes, the barrier to becoming a developer is relatively low. With some HTML, CSS, and popular frameworks under your belt, you can start building websites and apps.

But here's the thing: There's a crucial distinction between being a developer and being a software engineer.

True software engineering goes far beyond just shipping products. It requires:

• Deep systems understanding
• Architecture design principles
• Performance optimization
• Scalability considerations
• Engineering best practices
• Technical decision-making

…and a lot more.

In my experience, genuine software engineers—those who truly understand these fundamentals and master their craft—are surprisingly rare.

What's your take on this? Have you noticed this distinction in your work?