Programmers, there are rules to follow

For those of you new to software engineering, the Association for Computing Machinery ACM developed a code of ethics for all programmers and professionals in software engineering. If you are asking yourself: if I am able to code anything, why do I need to follow rules? Well, your code must have a target public, and these rules apply to commit to the health, safety and welfare of that public. There are eight basic principles as stated by the ACM:

  • PUBLIC – Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest.
  • 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.
  • PRODUCT – Software engineers shall ensure that their products and related modifications meet the highest professional standards possible.
  • JUDGEMENT – Software engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgement.
  • MANAGEMENT – Software engineering managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance.
  • PROFESSION – Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession consistent with the public interest.
  • COLLEAGUES – Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive to their colleagues.
  • 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.

I, as a software engineer, agree with you. We are the future, software engineering is the future of society, and when we are coding we appear as wizards. Let’s aim, however, for a better future, and contribute with our programming to develop a healthier coding ambiance.

Full version of ACM’s code of ethics

References:

http://www.acm.org/about/se-code


Ethics

ethics

A code of ethics is so essential in the software engineering. This code is needed to be followed in order to create a good environment between customers and employers. The ACM code of ethics is divided in eight main concepts : public, client and employer, product, judgement, management, profession, colleagues, and self.

We had a discussion the other day in class and we joined all of our ideas. If you want to follow the discussion, visit the following link: https://tc1019carminaperezguerrero.wordpress.com/2016/08/19/inside-the-mind-of-a-moral-software-engineer/.

Here is the Code of Ethics from the ACM if you want to read it by yourself: http://www.acm.org/about/se-code.

I agree with almost all of these main concepts. I think that a code of ethics is needed in software engineering because we all need to establish some rules in order to act as an integral person while working. We are here to improve and develop new ways to live. If we are the future, we need to create a great future.

 

 


How to do Software ethically and don´t die trying.

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Image from: https://howtobeastoic.wordpress.com/2015/09/17/ancient-vs-modern-ethics-a-comparison/

Every day, a lot of lines of code are written in the world with or without thinking of how, when and whom are going to use them.

Here we explain a little how a code of Ethics for Software Engineering works and is stablished, due to the need of ethics application in all professional activities.

Software engineers shall commit themselves to making the analysis, specification, design, development, testing and maintenance of software a beneficial and respected profession. In accordance with their commitment to the health, safety and welfare of the public, software engineers shall adhere to the following Eight Principles:

1. PUBLIC – Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest.

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.

3. PRODUCT – Software engineers shall ensure that their products and related modifications meet the highest professional standards possible.

4. JUDGMENT – Software engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgment.

5. MANAGEMENT – Software engineering managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance.

6. PROFESSION – Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession consistent with the public interest.

7. COLLEAGUES – Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues.

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.

Seems easy right? Let´s check what these principles means to do:

PUBLIC

The engineer shall accept for their work even if the work produces any good or bad situations. Test is an important thing in software related with

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Code Of Ethics

code-of-ethics-seal

The Association for Computing Machinery is an organization that cares a lot about the Software Engineering community. Among the many things they do, one of the most important things is that they try to unify the professional ethic principles that conceptualize the ideal work on a System’s Engineer.

The ACM Code of Ethics identifies the elements of every member’s commitment to ethical professional conduct.  It outlines fundamental considerations that contribute to society and human well-being and those that specifically relate to professional responsibilities, organizational imperatives, and compliance with the code.

There are eight main principles that ACM suggests following:

1.- Public: This principles is about caring for others, trying to take in consideration everyone’s wishes and capabilities without trying to pursue an individual desire.

2.- Client and Employer: This is about transparency. It is crucial to be honest with your client and to do what you say you’ll do, always follow through, no matter how hard things get. This will help your credibility and your connection towards the people who ask for your services.

3.- Product: Always look for the best option for the product you’ll present. It is very important to use quality products, even if this implies a higher cost, it is totally worth it.

4.- Judgement: Use your good judgement, always be ethical not just as a professional but also as a person. Never get involved in illegal things.

5.- Management: Organize your energy, your movements and your administration, so once you agree to something with a client, there is no way you’re gonna change the game rules at the end just because you just didn’t take in consideration all the possible outcomes. The only exception for changing the original plan is an extreme and justified reason.

6.- Profession: Be

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