> I also agree that few understand the
> distinction between a "programmer" and a
> "software engineer"

Maybe the reason why so few understand the difference is because there really is no difference. The distinction between terms such as "software developer", or "programmer", or "software engineer" are made only in your own head. If all three terms are used to describe someone who inputs code to produce applications, then it makes no difference what you call them. A rose by any other name, and such.

This is no different from the "title wars" of the last decade, where everyone in the I.T. business tried as hard as they could to outdo each other and make themselves sound more important and more relevant than they actually were. "Chief Technology Officer", my ass. It's a glorified way of saying "Systems Administrator".

When you walk into a Subway to get a sandwich, do you think of the person behind the counter as a "Sandwich Artist"? That's their actual job title, in case you didn't know. But now that you know, does it impress you? Does it make any difference to the quality of your sandwich if the person is known as a "sandwich artist" or simply a "cashier"?

When I was in grade school, the janitor used to be called a "janitor". Today, the exact same guy doing the exact same job is called a "Custodial Engineer".

In hotels, remember when they used to be called "cleaning ladies" or "maids"? Today, the same person doing the exact same job is called an "Environmental Services Aide".

Remember when the guy driving the truck once a week to collect garbage was called the "garbage man"? Today, the same guy doing the same job is called a "Waste Management and Disposal Technician".

Remember when your accountant used to be called an "accountant"? Today, that same accountant is a "Financial Asset Analyst".

I could continue with a list of bogus job titles long enough to fill a book, but you get the idea. So if you want to make yourself feel more important by calling yourself a "Software Engineer" instead of a "programmer", knock yourself out, but don't expect everyone out there to fall for the B.S. you're dishing out.