The terms Programmer and Software Engineer, contrary to popular belief, are not interchangeable.

A programmer knows how to code and may have the technical skills needed to build meaningful products.

A software engineer has an educational background that is focused on engineering principles and this is how all development and design needs are approached. A software engineer does the work that involves developing and designing games and programs that are needed. He follows a systematic process of understanding requirements, working with stakeholders and developing a solution that fulfills their needs. 

When looking at the differences of a software engineer vs. programmer, it is important to remember that not all computer programmer are the same. However, most computer programmers use the designs that were created by software engineers and write the programs that make them work. This means that the idea and concept are created by the software engineer and a programmer makes this idea an actual reality.