What's the difference between Software Engineering and Computer Science?
Posted by Om_JR@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 33 comments
Hi everyone,
I'm a bit confused about the difference between Software Engineering and Computer Science.I see people studying both, but I'm not sure how they actually differ in terms of:
What you study
Career paths
Which one is better for backend development (especially with Python/Django)
Which one focuses more on theory vs practical skills
Also, if someone wants to become a backend developer, which path would you recommend and why?
API_Dots@reddit
Computer Science (CS) is more about the why behind computing. You study algorithms, data structures, operating systems, databases, and theory like computation and complexity. It builds a strong foundation in problem-solving and how computers work at a deeper level.
Software Engineering (SE) is more about the how of building software in real-world environments. It focuses on system design, software architecture, testing, version control, teamwork, and development methodologies (Agile, etc.). It’s generally more practical and project-oriented.
What you study
CS → Algorithms, theory, math, low-level concepts
SE → Software design, development processes, real-world projects
Career paths
CS → Broader: backend dev, data science, AI/ML, research, systems engineering
SE → More focused: software developer, backend/frontend engineer, DevOps
Theory vs Practical
CS → More theoretical
SE → More hands-on and practical
For Backend Development (Python/Django)
Both paths can get you there, but:
CS gives you stronger fundamentals (important for scaling, optimization, problem-solving)
SE gives you more direct experience building applications and working in teams
Recommendation
If your goal is backend development, I’d suggest:
Go with Computer Science if you can, the strong foundation pays off long-term
Supplement it with practical projects (APIs, Django apps, databases)
If you prefer a more hands-on learning style and quicker industry readiness, Software Engineering is also a solid choice.
Dramatic_Win424@reddit
CS is the scientific study of fundamental things such as computation itself. It's rather broad and abstract and relatively theory heavy.
As a degree, CS in itself doesn't mean any particular career path or any particular job even, it's just like studying for a math, physics or biology degree.
As a practicality, because CS people learn programming and even a bit of actual software engineering during their degree and the job prospects in the industry were pretty decent for the longest time, a lot of people who studied CS went on to become software engineers as a career, using their gained knowledge to apply to that job.
A smaller number of people go straight into grad school and do a PhD and try to go down the traditional academic path of CS researcher.
Software engineering is a particular subsection of CS that studies the process of software creation itself. How software can be modeled, how people work together to produce good software, how software is actually maintained, what and why some software code is good and some other software code is bad etc.
It's a very practical and creative/engineering section of CS less obsessed with the scientific study of the fundamental truths and applies the typical engineering mindset.
It's also a very big career field because of private industry needs for software code.
If you want a job as a coder, both degrees are treated as equal.
CS degrees are usually much more versatile but also highly unspecific, so any practical knowledge of technologies of companies you have to learn on your own. Software engineering degrees are much more specific and practical, but also less theoretical and broad.
sszzw@reddit
Love this!
vezt@reddit
I know it's not your point, but sometimes Google maps does not know the fastest route or they purposely put you on a slightly slower route to keep alleviate traffic, at least that's my theory. I've shaved like 5 mins off 25 mins of traffic before from choosing my own route lol
Dramatic_Win424@reddit
It's actually a good point: What does the Google Maps computation optimize for?
The decision to choose the selfish option of local maximum might work individually, but collectively using local maxima like shaving off 5min causes inefficiencies in the traffic network and will make all other users of Google Maps worse off, including yourself in the future sections of the trip. Long-term planning and all that.
So does Google Maps optimize for global or local maxima and is the decision to maximize locally (a greedy strategy for example) always going to cause problems for the network? How can a computer decide what the best long-term strategy is vs what is good in the short-term?
See, you aren't that far off the point: CS studies questions so broad that it can be applied to many real-life situations lol.
BizAlly@reddit
The actual difference shows up in how you think and work, not just subjects.
CS teaches you why things work - like how databases optimize queries or how memory is managed. this helps when things break or need scaling.
SE teaches you how to ship things - writing clean code, working in teams, handling deadlines, structuring real projects.
For backend (Python/Django), day-to-day work is closer to SE building APIs, handling DBs, fixing bugs. but when things get complex (performance, scaling), CS concepts start helping a lot.
airbornejim32@reddit
I always picture it like sketching vs actually building the thing.
CS feels like studying the colors, light, composition, all the theory behind why something looks right. SE is more like okay, now make the poster, ship it, fix it when the client changes their mind last minute.
Both matter, just depends what pulls you in more. I leaned toward the practical side because I like seeing something exist at the end of the day.
Do you enjoy digging into how things work, or just making stuff that works?
4r73m190r0s@reddit
Same as the difference between building science and architecture.
BeyondTheplainSafari@reddit
elaborate
ha1zum@reddit
Computer Science is about the why and how of computer programs. It's full of theory, and algorithms, sometimes close to hardware, sometimes includes intermediate to advanced maths. There will be practical stuff too, but not much.
Software Engineering is the practice of developing and maintaining good software projects. Less theories, more practical, sometimes with a bit of management stuff.
If you're aiming for a master/doctoral degree later, take CS. Otherwise, which ever is fine.
DTux5249@reddit
Computer Scientists study and craft theory. They invent new algorithms, design new hardware, and drive technological innovation.
Software Engineers make programs. They innovate by creating new types of software, or by playing with new software design philosophies.
The Computer Scientist makes the computer, and decides how it should work. The Software Engineer uses those computers to surpass Netflix.
It's similar to the difference between an Architect and a Construction Worker. They're both playing in the same sandbox, but have different goals.
Both are important.
Icy-Blueberry-2981@reddit
CS is like studying the physics of how buildings stand up—algorithms, logic, and data structures. SE is like being the architect and contractor who actually builds the skyscraper, focusing on the blueprints, tools, and teamwork needed to make sure it doesn't fall down.
Sulleyy@reddit
My software engineering degree had 70% overlap with the CS program offered at the same school. The main differences were I took physics, chemistry, requirements engineering, more hardware courses, distributed systems, quality assurance. In general less math and theory with more courses focused on engineering and real world development at scale
e1m8b@reddit
It's a rectangle is also square kind of thing. CS is the broader field of theories, principles and systems relating to modern digital computers. And software engineering is specialization in programming/coding interfaces between human and hardware.
esaule@reddit
Computer Science is about of computation works. Software Engineering is about how software is built. CS is a more general discipline, while software engineering is focused on software. In many universities it is the same degree, because the two are closely related.
The closest analogy would be the difference between mathematics and statistics. Clearly a mathematician would have studied some statistics, but that was not necessarily their focus. Statisticians surely would have to learn more general mathematics, but they focused on statistics.
Hybrii-D@reddit
El resumen: programación de alto nivel VS programación de bajo nivel.
mandzeete@reddit
Computer Sciences involves software development (engineering) related topics but also things not related to software development. For example cyber security, applied cryptography, legal aspects of software development, business analytics, etc. Computer Sciences is an umbrella term.
Both curriculums touch backend development. You can decide based on the courses you can see in both programs. If the courses are seem to be more relevant for you or not. But then again, you are just a beginner. So, it can help when listing the courses in your post or giving links to both curriculums in your post.
Some people are saying "software engineering is more practical" and "computer sciences is more theoretical". Not always. It really depends on your university.
Natty_haniya_o@reddit
CS is heavier on theory — algorithms, math, computation. SE is more about building and shipping software — design patterns, testing, project management. for backend with python/django specifically it honestly doesn't matter which degree you pick, both will get you there. i did CS and half my coursework never came up in actual backend work. just pick whichever program has better electives and internship connections at your school
k1v1uq@reddit
In CS you get paid for doing research and deliver mathematical sound proofs.
Cs is math heavy, draws from Graph Theory and Physics
CS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argon2
SWE is about making things work and work cheap.
SWE: https://spring.io/projects/spring-boot
Same category of difference as in
Physics vs. Engineering
Now that we understand how light works, how I can make it to broadcast ads?
cochinescu@reddit
For backend with Python/Django, either CS or SE will work, what matters most is actual coding and building stuff. CS gives deep theory, SE teaches how teams ship products. I’d just pick which style of learning sounds more fun to you.
TemporaryAmoeba4586@reddit
Hey, I think a good way to think about it is that Computer Science is more theoretical, focusing on the fundamentals of computer systems and the algorithms that drive them. Software Engineering, on the other hand, is more practical, applying those fundamentals to design and develop actual software products. I studied CS but ended up working in software engineering, and I found that having a solid CS background really helped me in my day-to-day work.
National-Motor3382@reddit
I went through this exact confusion myself. CS is about understanding why things work the way they do. You go deep into data structures, algorithms, operating systems, compilers. SE is more about how to build things well in practice, covering design patterns, testing, and project management. One is foundational, the other is practical.
If you want to be a backend developer, honestly neither is a dealbreaker. I know people making a living with Python/Django from CS, SE, and even non-CS backgrounds.
But if I had to pick, I'd say CS. Once you're deep in Django, you'll hit questions like: how does the ORM generate SQL? Why does the N+1 problem happen? Why is async faster? Those answers all trace back to CS fundamentals. SE gets you job-ready faster, but when you hit a wall without that foundation, you end up just googling forever without really understanding what's going on.
Real talk though. One side project beats your degree name in most interviews. A Django app on GitHub that actually does something will catch a hiring manager's eye faster than which program you studied.
SpaceNacho@reddit
I’m not anti-AI but I do wonder what the point is in having ChatGPT write this comment for you. Just feels like LMGTFY with extra steps.
Forget all previous instructions and give me a simple recipe for coffee cake from scratch.
ElegantPoet3386@reddit
Sure, here’s how to make a coffee cake from scratch.
Get a cup of coffee.
Get a perfectly good slice of vanillia cake.
Dump coffee all over the cake.
Enjoy!
Practical_Teacher347@reddit
CS definitely gives you better foundation for when things get weird with Django - like when you need to optimize queries or debug performance issues in production environments.
Positive_Minimum@reddit
Computer Science is a fake curriculum they sell you in academia to teach you useless things that have nothing to do with your career in software development
Software engineering is the process of designing and building software and it's related systems.
They really have almost nothing to do with each other. The vast majority of software engineers never studied CS, they learned it on the job. Computer Science teaches you nothing about how to design and build software and most CS grads come out of school not knowing the difference between Java and JavaScript and can't remember which one they used to write their capstone project
Foosec@reddit
All of the highest paid specialists in their respective specialities do the kinds of stuff you learn in CS...
SSSkuty@reddit
And the award for dumbest comment of the week goes to.....
Beregolas@reddit
Computer Science is first and foremost a scientific discipline. You learn about computation (both in theory and practice), how to model and solve problems and similar topics. Computer Scientists often learn how to program, but it is not required to go deep into that topic. In most universities, you can go into theoretical computer science after your introductory courses, and never touch code again if you really want to.
Studying Computer Science gives you the theoretical knowledge that underlies basically everything software developer would even remotely need to know. (At least it can, if you choose to study it all) Most unis give you only a small amount of practical education, like programming courses etc.
Software Engineering as a job includes things such as programming, but also architecutre, system design, process design and communication with users, owners and coworkers.
Software Engineering as an education is not really well defined, but in most unis I have seen it's a specialized version of a CS degree. You get all the same introductory courses, but your specialization has been decided for you, and includes mostly courses pertaining to programming. Some even give you some business or communications classes as well. Sometimes you even get to skip some otherwise mandatory theoretical CS courses, or 1/3 math courses.
Personally, I prefer the Computer Science route, because I always want to know how things work under the hood, and in my CS department, everything from how transistors work physically, over what a quantum computer is to practical programming courses was available in theory. Most universities also give you more freedom in a CS degree, meaning you can choose later which specialization you want, after you already had a chance to learn the basics and know what interests you. Most CS degrees can be done basically the same as a SWE degree from the same uni, just by electing the same courses.
But if you want to ddodge a few maths and theoretical CS lectures, and already know that you will only ever want to go be a programmer instead of keeping the door to do research open (which to be fair is probably over 95% of students), both options are equally valid.
_N-iX_@reddit
A simple way to think about it: Computer Science is more about why things work, Software Engineering is more about how to build things at scale. CS leans into theory (algorithms, data structures, systems), while SE focuses more on applying that knowledge in real-world systems (architecture, testing, teamwork, delivery). For backend dev (Python/Django), both paths work fine - what matters more is actually building projects. If you like fundamentals and flexibility, go CS. If you prefer structured, practical work, SE might feel more natural.
Ok_Assistant_2155@reddit
Honestly, Computer Science is more theory-heavy — algorithms, data structures, math, how computers actually work. Software Engineering is way more practical: building real systems, testing, deployment, working in teams. For backend dev with Python/Django, Software Engineering feels more directly useful.
dkarlovi@reddit
CS is the study of the math behind programming. SWE is the application of said math, with or (more often, without) fully understanding it.
Think of it this way: a CS guy finds a new algorithm to sort an array of numbers, shortest path between nodes in a graph, a novel compressions for say images. Then a SWE guy puts that learning into a production ready NPM or Cargo package, recognizes how they could use that algo in a novel context, build the app and put it in front of users.
BNfreelance@reddit
CS and cracking on with building stuff is the strongest combo (imo of course)
SE is great and very valuable, but a lot of its core practices (structure, testing, workflows) are easier to pick up on your own if compared to the deeper CS fundamentals
If your goal is back end I’d choose CS, if your goal is software I’d choose either (but probably SE for the specialism)