[stephendause]

I don't really think that software engineering is a trade per se. I think it is a much more creative activity that requires a lot more baseline knowledge. I think an automotive engineer is to a mechanic as a software engineer is to an IT administrator. There is still a fair amount of creativity and knowledge required for being a mechanic or IT admin, but I don't think it's nearly the same amount.

Software engineering is interesting, though, because it does not require as much formal education as many other engineering fields to get a job. I think this is in part because it is very economically valuable (in the US at least) and because the only tool you need is a computer with an Internet connection.

With all of that said, I think SWE is probably closer to a trade than other engineering disciplines, but not by all that much.