What is the difference between software engineer and programmer?

Confusion often arises with these definitions, and as a result, all specialists are simply called “programmers”. In fact, the programmer is the person who writes the code. He was given a task, told how to solve it, and he, following these instructions, writes code in a certain programming language. And a software engineer, before writing a code, solves the task assigned to him, simulates, finds the optimal solution so that the program does not just work, but is optimized and looks beautiful, supports updates and extensions. If you are a beginner, then you are a junior. When a specialist gains more experience, gains new knowledge, passes certification and constantly works on himself, then over time he can pass an interview within the company and get a middle level, and then senior. But this procedure is usually negotiated on a case-by-case basis and depends on the company’s policy. After senior, you can also develop your career and move to software architect or become a team lead. Architects, just like software engineers, solve problems, but at a higher level. They think over what the internal structure and external interfaces of the software complex should be. After making complex architectural decisions, they submit the task for development.