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"Software Engineering" Is Not Engineering
18 days ago
- Computer Science is not science and Software Engineering is not engineering because software design lacks objective metrics and ties to physical reality.
- Software is more akin to mathematics, allowing creation of virtual worlds with internal consistency, unlike engineering bound by physical laws.
- Debates in software often revolve around idioms, paradigms, and conventions, which are difficult to compare objectively due to reliance on human psychology and productivity factors.
- Programmer productivity and maintainability are key concerns, but empirical studies are scarce, and personal comfort with tools often dictates productivity.
- Existing computer science literature focuses on techniques and idioms, such as Boolean algebra, but fails to provide scientific methods for evaluating 'better' approaches.
- The flexibility of software enables infinite possibilities, but this also makes objective evaluation nearly impossible, leading to persistent, unresolved debates in the field.
ArsDigita University: Five Years Later (2006)
8 days ago
- The author describes their experience attending Arsdigita University, a free intensive computer science program founded by Philip Greenspun in 2000.
- The program aimed to provide world-class computer science education to those unable to access it, lasting 10.5 months with lectures from MIT professors.
- Despite initial enthusiasm, challenges arose including lack of certification, funding cuts, and the dismissal of foundation staff, leading to no second class.
- The curriculum covered topics like mathematics, programming, systems, and a software engineering course, though plans changed with unexpected Microsoft involvement.
- After graduation in 2001, alumni pursued diverse careers at organizations like IBM, The New York Times, and various tech firms, and some continued their education.
- The author reflects on the program's legacy, noting its influence on online education and open courseware, while expressing gratitude to Philip Greenspun and director Shai Simonson.
Computer science enrollment fell for the first time in 20 years
9 hours ago
- Computer science enrollment declined for the first time in roughly two decades in the 2025-26 academic year.
- Enrollment in Computer and Information Sciences at four-year colleges fell 8.1% year over year in fall 2025.
- The decline coincides with the rapid adoption of generative AI like ChatGPT, but the data does not prove AI caused it.
- Stanford economist Jacob Light's research shows a 4.6% year-over-year drop in CS enrollment at the average school, with share falling 6.3 percentage points.
- Five possible explanations include a weaker job market, uncertainty about CS degree value in the AI era, weaker academic preparation, demographic changes, and expansion of competing fields.
- Despite the decline, enrollment remains above 2022 levels, suggesting the drop follows years of rapid growth.

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#computer science

"Software Engineering" Is Not Engineering

ArsDigita University: Five Years Later (2006)

Computer science enrollment fell for the first time in 20 years