[nedbat]

These days, to be "complete" wouldn't I need to know frontend JavaScript, neural networks, and a dozen other things I don't know? What does "complete" mean?

[zer0tonin]

Yes, this is why software engineering is a skill you master in 20 years, not 3 months.

[g4zj]

I don't believe there is "complete" as much as there is "well-rounded", which is what I aim for, personally.

[jacurtis]

Well by definition 'complete' means to "the greatest extent or degree". So a complete SWE would need systems knowledge. But is anyone really a complete SWE? Even people that are experts in systems probably aren't complete because they don't know AI.

So we aim for well-rounded. That's the best we can maintain.

[deaddodo]

Thus the quotes. As another responder says "well-rounded" is a better phrase, but either way the field is large and you'll always be learning in it.

[captaincaveman]

Yes, that sounds about right!