Are you saying all the learning of the theory in the 3/4 year degree programme is pointless? Do you really think a 18 month coding bootcamp, without the theory, can make anyone a software engineer?
4 years degree programme is not a problem, the problem lies where the people holding the money think they can replace human with computer.
The overemphasis on theory was probably justified when CSE program was created. Back then the field was quite new and engineers would often encounter problems that needed deep theoretical knowledge and mathematical modelling capabilities. In networking, compilers, distributed systems, OS, data storage systems etc., So a theoretical grounding was necessary to prepare them to solve those unknown problems.
However that doesn't seem to be the case anymore based on my experience. To build a typical business/consumer application there are well tested architecture patterns available along with technology and libraries.
Of course if one is operating at the bleeding edge (say chip design) then a deep grounding in theory (say physics of optics) is needed. But those are exception and not norm.
My frustration also stems from looking at the syllabus of typical CSE curriculum in India. In first year students learn a little bit of all other fields. Mechanical engineering, civil, electrical and so on. The CS courses start in real earnest from 4th semester. Why not start from CSE subjects right away? Why do they need to learn workings of an internal combustion engine!?
> the problem lies where the people holding the money think they can replace human with computer.
Those with money want to replace human workers with machines. Automation with robots and mechanisation has been happening in other fields (automobile, agriculture, construction...). That it'd happen to SWE was expected, no?
4 years degree programme is not a problem, the problem lies where the people holding the money think they can replace human with computer.