[jeddy3]

Yes there is a huge difference.

I'm not sure what OP had in mind when asking the question, but at least for me it can be rephrased as:

"I LOVE Software Development/Engineering but HATE the industry. Can anyone relate?"

I really like the challenge of everything regarding SWE...users, specifications, documentation, planning, working with teams, testing, et.c.

But in most projects I have worked in something else has crept in:

  - No access to customers/product owners to discuss solutions
  - Everything being treated as manufacturing line
  - Fixed long term plans even though conditions have changes
  - Developers taking blame for changed conditions/wrong features