Is another CRUD app any different than another static-force analysis on a house beam? How many engineering decisions are made by software running the math and spitting out numbers?
I agree that there are degrees of invention in both, but my argument (which is, admittedly, emotional in nature) is that there are more unique decisions in software, mostly because if you don't need to decide--if there is already an algorithm for it--then you can just plug in an existing library/app.
You only need a programmer when you can't just run an existing app. Therefore, all programmers create things that don't already exist. That's the definition of invention.
I know I'm exaggerating here, but it's less of an exaggeration than saying that programmers are "poised to wreck the entire world".
I agree that there are degrees of invention in both, but my argument (which is, admittedly, emotional in nature) is that there are more unique decisions in software, mostly because if you don't need to decide--if there is already an algorithm for it--then you can just plug in an existing library/app.
You only need a programmer when you can't just run an existing app. Therefore, all programmers create things that don't already exist. That's the definition of invention.
I know I'm exaggerating here, but it's less of an exaggeration than saying that programmers are "poised to wreck the entire world".