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First, Do No Harm - A Hippocratic Oath for Coders?
rhysweatherley asks: "With the increase in spyware, spam, etc, is it time for a Hippocratic Oath for Programmers? Should programmers be able to refuse to write code that harms the public more than it helps? Should they code defensively to prevent software and information being misused for unintended purposes? And how do we protect such programmers from being dismissed unfairly for standing on principle?"
Discuss.
1. PUBLIC - Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest.
And what is the public interest? I'm sure the margeteers of gator think they're serving the public.
2. CLIENT AND EMPLOYER - Software engineers shall act in a manner that is in the best interests of their client and employer consistent with the public interest.
This one's ok, but take care of yourself first. The company will do just fine looking out for themselves and couldn't care less about you. Don't look out for the company only to get screwed in the end.
3. PRODUCT - Software engineers shall ensure that their products and related modifications meet the highest professional standards possible.
And the kicker here is "possible". Often, you have to give the client what they're asking for, even if it's not the best way. There's doing right things and doing things right. Doing things right may not be the right thing to do. Set the expectations, communucate with the client, but in the end, give them what they think they want, and cover your ass.
4. JUDGMENT - Software engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgment.
I think this appies to everyone.
5. MANAGEMENT - Software engineering managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance.
Man, these people have never worked with accidenture. To bad this is not as common as is should be.
6. PROFESSION - Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession consistent with the public interest.
That sounds nice. But no body likes lawyers and they're doing just fine.
7. COLLEAGUES - Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues.
All I have to say is watch your back.
8. SELF - Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession and shall promote an ethical approach to the practice of the profession.
When am I allowed to take a break and stop learning? I'm a fscking swiss army knife. My resume is so big, people are actually starting to doubt that I really have actual working experience to back up that huge list of tools.
I love idealism. Asking programmers to take an oath like this is like asking my kids to swear never to stay up late, eat junk food, and leave their bicycles in the driveway. People haven't changed one bit in thousands of years, and they're not about to start. Sure, I'll recite the oath... and look over my shoulder while doing it, so that I can cash the check and keep on keeping on. In the end, what really matters is whether or not I can feed my family, pay my bills, and live a stress-free life. If that's not your focus, maybe it should be.
Disconnect your television. Do your own research. Draw your own conclusions. They're probably lying. Don't be a sheep.
Please don't mod this up--I'm capped, and some dickless coward will no doubt come after with an "Overrated"--please feel free to mod it down, though.
CEE5210S The signal SIGHUP was received.
I'm sure this will get be flame-broiled for being racist by those who don't read past the first paragraph, but.. Here's my take on things.
You're wasting your time if you think you can define what "ethical conduct" means before you define what it means to be "a professional" in the first place.
It seems to me that among most American (Both N. and S.) and European system administrators and programmers, the issue of workplace ethic is well known, and adhered to fervently. Unix administrators in particular, put a great deal of emphasis on accountability, responsibility, and appropriate conduct. However, in the past decade or so i've been working in this industry, the unspoken code of honor and commonality of ethics abruptly ends when dealing with eastern European, Asian, and African programmers/administrators.
The reasons for this are completely cultural -- They have nothing to do with race. The cultural differences between those of us here in the Americas and those of IT professionals from abroad stem from what is valued more in that person's culture. In Western culture, extensibility, usability, robustness and coherency of design are the principles we put the greatest importance on---Whatever gets the job done right, regardless of how much time it takes. In other parts of the world, these principles take a back seat to facets like practicality, speed, and overall function---Whatever solves the problem the quickest, regardless of quality.
Its been the cause of every single workplace conflict i've seen in the past 10 years. One party (manager or programmer) wants the job done quickly -- The other party (manager or programmer) wants to do it right. An American programmer goes nuts trying to work within a group of Indian programmers who in his mind "write half-assed code, cut corners, and cover up mistakes."
Meanwhile, an Indian programmer goes nuts trying to work within a group of American programmers, who in his mind are slow, lazy and underproductive team members.
The whole entanglement of "ethics" stems from the differences in priorities. As anedcotal evidence, look at the reigons of the world where software piracy is rampant. A lack of adherence to accepted practices goes hand in hand with piracy, does it not? WHy does piracy flourish in some areas while remaining an underground black market in others? The answer seems purely obvious to me...And as long you're going to have a dichotomy that severe within the industry, there will never be universally agreed-upon "code of ethics" or "Hippocratic Oath" among IT professionals. It just isn't possible, if you intend on mixing two radically different definitions of what it means to be "a professional."
Cheers,
Bowie J. Poag
as if this isn't the headquarters and catherdral of the First Inernational Church of Rabid Linux Supporters (other wise knows as the Linux Open Source Encouragement and Racist Supporters) or L.O.S.E.R.S
What a fucking joke - you guys are more intolerant than any church and if it weren't for the fact that most of you are -
A: Too Fat to get out the door
OR
B: Can't move five feet without passing out from Asthma that you all seem born with
OR
C: Don't go anywhere as buses and taxi's arent free and thus you have a philosophical problem with them
You would have long ago flown a plane into the microsoft headquarters - the only reason you haven't declared an open holy war or Jihad on MS is that their marketing and sales guys would eat you alive on the battlefield (you'd be designing strategy sofwtare whilst they were tearing your hearts out - don't believe me ? look what they did to thei competititors).
Just declare the whole fucking thing a religion and get off your high horses.
And you wonder why we normal people think your all hypocrites ?
I refuse to argue with Anonymous Cowards - if you want a discussion get an account....
You're missing the point. First of all, I don't think there's 91%
Hey smart guy, while you thought you were so clever by saying 91% instead of 90% you overlooked the fact that 11 people applying for 1 job does not translate into a 91% unemployment rate.