Can anyone explain the difference between a QA and a software Engineer? also in terms of pay,responsibilities and career growth.
Re: Difference between a QA Engineer and a Software Engineer?
Both these terms are very broad and overlap to a certian degree in most projects/companies but at it's basic:
SE: Some who designs a software/hardware or system (Depending on your major in college or skill level). You definitely need an understanding of programming fundamentals and basic computer science theory. This is more tech-centric compared to Q/A.
QA: Some one who tests the functionality. An understanding of writing test-cases is needed. I believe if you are a people's person, your communication skills are over par, then Q/A would be a good field to jump in, because of the constant interaction between end-user and the programmer (SE). For writing text cases, you also need to have excellent written skills.
I like to say, SE is a student giving an exam and QA is the teacher trying to find mistakes and pointing them out.
Pay: Of what I have seen, SE tend to get paid a wee-bit more, due to difficult programming skills needed but then that difference tends to go away, as you move higher in the job-chain..
Career-Growth: You could progress equally in both (I.e go on to become managers and so on..). Both are part of the "IT" department in any company so growth is very subjective to your given project and domain.
Re: Difference between a QA Engineer and a Software Engineer?
Thank you TwitTwit in helping me understand the difference...needed some help in making a career choice.
Re: Difference between a QA Engineer and a Software Engineer?
if you dont want a hard life of SE, and have common sense without any indepth knowledge of programming languages, QA is the role, written test scripts, run again and again and dont get bored. QA can only point to functional issue with software and cant tell whats wrong with the code or config so QA being teacher is absolutely wrong.
being QA is also good and quick way for career ladder with comparatively less hard work compared to SEs!
Re: Difference between a QA Engineer and a Software Engineer?
I agree with TwiTwit and Shak kills.
QA engineer role does not necessarily require Computer Science background but Software Engineer does need it.
QA is much more related to UAT, alpha testing, beta testing, unit testing, regression testing, load testing etc.
Software engineer mostly concerned with design and architectural part of software and involved in requirement gathering, modeling, and coding.