Difference between Computer Engineering and Information Technology

Key Difference: Computer engineering is related with the research, design and development of equipments that are the components of a computer. It is focused on the hardware or software knowledge, but at the same time the hardware-to-software integration is also understood in the field of computer engineering. On the other hand, information technology emphasizes more on the uses of technology rather than the development. It is a field that is mainly concerned with the services pertaining to information.

Computer engineering and information technology are two relevant fields. They both vary from each other in context to their meanings. Computer engineering can be broadly divided into two categories- Hardware Engineering and Software Engineering. Hardware engineering is related to the electronic hardware components. It encompasses the fields of electrical engineering and computer science. It deals with physical components like circuit systems. Computer software engineering deals with the developments of the softwares.

Information technology or IT deals with storing, retrieving, transmitting and manipulating data. Primarily, it focuses on the applications of computers in the business. The term was supposedly first introduced by the authors Harold J. Leavitt and Thomas L. Whisler in an article published in the Harvard Business Review. They used the term in context to the new technology.

Comparison between Computer engineering and Information Technology:

	Computer Engineering	Information Technology
Definition	Hardware engineering is related to the electronic hardware components. It encompasses electrical engineering and computer science. It deals with physical components like circuit systems. Software engineering deals with the developments of the software.	Information technology or IT deals with storage, retrieval, transmission and manipulation of the data.
Deals with	Analyze, design, and evaluate computer hardware and software systems.	Applications of computers in the business; mainly dealing with use of information oriented applications.
Focus	Product	Services
Subject	Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, etc	E-commerce, E-business, E-government, etc.
Speciality areas	Coding, Cryptography, and Information Protection Communications and Wireless Networks Compilers and Operating Systems Computational Science and Engineering Computer Networks, Mobile Computing, and Distributed Systems Computer Systems: Architecture, Parallel Processing, and Dependability Computer Vision and Robotics Embedded Systems Integrated Circuits, VLSI Design, Testing, and CAD	General computer science concepts Computer Networking IT Governance Business Intelligence Project Management Business Information system Cloud Computing Web Design Principles of Information Security System Administration Architechture and Technology Technical Communication