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?"

Comments

Re:ACM/IEEE Software Engineering Code of Ethics

[infinite9]

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.

Re:Yeah, let's all pass a law! (*sigh*)

[acceleriter]

Or, we could find the programmers that are writing that spyware crap, who have betrayed their fellow man and the society that enabled them to learn the skills they're abusing to do it and:

kind and gentle: try them for crimes against humanity at the Hague

or

not so kind and gentle: rip open their chests and stuff their still beating hearts down their throats

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.