HN user
UltraSPARCs are rather specialised for general purpose processors - one could make the arguments that GPUs, which massively outperform x86 CPUs several times over in terms of FP performance, were faster even than SPARC, but it's very much a different beast.
Also I haven't looked this up but isn't UltraSPARC much more costly?
Basically: Apples and Oranges etc.
I don't think there is a hard and fast rule, but here is what appears to be many people's (i.e. not everyone's) interpretation:
- Programmer: Primarily just writes code to accomplish the tasks that he is given.
- Developer: Understands and writes code too, but is also involved in slightly higher-level considerations such as overall architecture and visual presentation of a large app, also probably has a say about software processes, an impact on testing procedures etc.
- Software Engineer: Doesn't write that much code but organises the framework in which it will be written: i.e. gathers requirements, manages the testing process, makes sure the architectures will support long term development and maintenance issues, forward looking in terms of functionality, languages, technologies, and competition, as well as making sure everyone else has what they need and things are on shedule.
- Peter