IMHO there's a big difference between a software programmer and a software engineer. It's not just semantics.
Some programmers can take specifications and translate it into code. This requires specialized skills, but is very predictable. This is also much easier to commoditize.
Software Engineers, in comparison, do the above, but also take on design responsibilities. Rather then specifications, they need to consider requirements and constraints. Rather then just learning a handful of technology, they are up to date on everything that is available and will alter their strategy accordingly.
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IMHO there's a big difference between a software programmer and a software engineer. It's not just semantics. Some programmers can take specifications and translate it into code. This requires specialized skills, but is very predictable. This is also much easier to commoditize. Software Engineers, in comparison, do the above, but also take on design responsibilities. Rather then specifications, they need to consider requirements and constraints. Rather then just learning a handful of technology, they are up to date on everything that is available and will alter their strategy accordingly.