On Fri, 31 Dec 2004, Benjamin Franz wrote:
>
> But assuming the the entire profession doesn't become non-existent, I see 
> little doubt that licensing and legal requirements for the specific title of 
> software engineer (or some similar title) will happen.

To close this topic: Far from being prophetic, I am now speaking 
_historically_. I had not noticed before, but in 1998 the State of Texas 
added 'Software Engineer' to the list of legally licensed Engineering 
specialities.

<URL:http://www.aitp.org/newsletter/2003julaug/article16.htm>

   "A software engineer is a licensed professional engineer who is schooled
    and skilled in the application of engineering discipline to the
    creation of software. A software engineer is often confused with a
    programmer, but the two are vastly different disciplines.

    While a programmer creates the codes that make a program run, a
    software engineer creates the designs the programmer implements. By
    law no person may use the title "engineer" (of any type) unless the
    person holds a professional engineering license from a state licensing
    board and are in good standing. A software engineer is also held
    accountable to a specific code of ethics.

     (Many thanks go out to Jerry G. Nordby, P.E. Technical Director for
      Defense Programs, for providing this updated definition)"

-- 
Benjamin Franz

"All right, where is the answer? The battle of wits has begun.
It ends when you click and we both serve pages - and find out who is right,
and who is slashdotted." - David Brandt