[jean_claude]

I earned a B.S. in an ABET accredited Computer Science program taught by the College of Science and Mathematics at a state University. Before that, I designed electrical control systems and software for industrial machinery, and I still don't consider myself an engineer.

That said, I think 'Software Engineer' is an acceptable title, and is more representative of the work we do in the profession than simply 'Computer Programmer'.

[tribaal]

My point is that "Engineer" (software or otherwise) is a legally protected term in many countries (Canada, Switzerland,...)

How much you consider yourself an engineer is irrelevant in this case: you either are one because you have a degree from an engineering school (not a university!), or you don't (it's a civilian title in Switzerland's case at least, "Eng." similarly to "Dr.")

Calling yourself a "software engineer" in Switzerland (and according to wikipedia, in a slew of other countries [1]) if you have a university degree is technically illegal - although of course, seldom enforced.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineer

[jean_claude]

>>My point is that "Engineer" (software or otherwise) is a legally protected term in many countries (Canada, Switzerland,...)

Actually, you're looking for the term "Professional Engineer" which can only be legally used if you have at least a B.S. or B.Eng. (or local equivalent) in an accredited program, have taken some kind of certifying exam, and may also require a certain number of years working in the field to obtain licensure. In the US, there is a PE certifying exam for ABET accredited Computer Science and Software Engineering program graduates.

Your Wikipedia link had no information about Switzerland, but it did have this interesting bit about the Czech Republic: "In the Czech Republic, the title "engineer" (Ing.) is given to people with a (masters) degree in chemistry, technology or economics for historical and traditional reasons." Every country is different...