Science vs Engineering

Debate distinguishing engineering from science, with commenters arguing that certain technical practices or achievements (e.g., prompt engineering, design processes) are engineering rather than science, exploring definitions and nuances of engineering.

➡️ Stable 0.6x Science
4,465
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#7000
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
6
2008
12
2009
41
2010
112
2011
103
2012
133
2013
176
2014
121
2015
205
2016
224
2017
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2018
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2019
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2020
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2021
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2022
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2023
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2024
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2025
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2026
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Keywords

FEM OP OK PS REST BEM UK i.e engineering science design engineer engineers science engineering constraints prompt assumptions bad idea

Sample Comments

ianb • Nov 24, 2010 • View on HN

It's not science, it's engineering.

PaulHoule • Jun 24, 2021 • View on HN

This is not science, it is engineering.

hutzlibu • Oct 14, 2022 • View on HN

"there's something to be said of how considerate and thoughtful "engineering" is."It is not just glueing things together and modify randomly until everything somewhat works under ideal conditions?

debacle • Nov 24, 2014 • View on HN

That's engineering, not science.

DeathArrow • Jul 11, 2023 • View on HN

That's engineering, not science.

soared • Sep 15, 2017 • View on HN

If it were good only engineering no one would know about it

_Microft • Mar 7, 2021 • View on HN

It’s engineering, not science by the way.

BiteCode_dev • Jan 23, 2024 • View on HN

Yes, because engineering is about context.

torginus • Jan 14, 2025 • View on HN

But most 'engineering' is not engineering.

coryl • Jul 25, 2012 • View on HN

What does "think like an engineer" entail?