1. The study is comparative in that it answers the question do engineers from other fields consider software engineering “real”. The interviewees answer more than whether they apply their an engineering design process, they comment on what they see in the industry from others, and resoundingly agree that software engineers are abundant and no different than “real” engineers.
2. We agree, aspects of the study could be improved. Nonetheless, I think Hillel’s analysis serves its purpose in leading the discussion forward on whether software engineering is “real” in a more productive direction than Jon Blow’s comments do, necessarily, as the topic of this HN thread.
3. Part 1 of Hillel’s article, linked above, addresses and agrees with your point directly. Suggesting that we don’t have a vocabulary vibrant enough to describe all aspects of the work people do with and on software yet.