Code of the Coders: Programmer Ethics Examined
In my four short years (compared to established professionals) of working in the software industry, I've heard the topic of ethics in software engineering arise numerous times through general discussion with the scope of debate ranging across several contexts. The topics of said debates vary from client contract verbiage to incorporating new bleeding-edge technologies into a project. Each subject contains its own mixture of variables and uncertainties that often times leave me more confused about the inner workings of a project than I was upon joining the discussion. Figure 1 includes some of the many words associated with ethics in a business environment. Ethics in business, and more specifically in computer
programming are unwritten rules that need to be followed.
Figure 1: A word cloud displaying several words associated with ethics.
Source: subliminalhacking.net
Prior to working in the software industry, my work resume is comprised of several positions ranging from fry cook, to cashier and salesman at a small family-owned and operated hardware store. What I’m trying to get at is how ethics have been on my mind ever since I’ve worked a paying job, and how prevalent and applicable ethics are in every profession. No matter if someone works as a fry cook, a computer programmer, or a member of congress, one should constantly examine their work in order to determine if they’re making ethical decisions, and their customers are being treated fairly. In order for our clients and customers to trust you and ultimately conduct business with you, they need to know if you’re complying to the ethical standards set forth by your given industry and company alike. If you’re not making a conscious effort to at the very least show your business partners, clients and customers you conduct business ethically, the results can be catastrophic to your company.
In John V. Petersen’s article Legal Notes: Should Software Developers Be Subject to Professional Standards of Ethical Conduct? (found here) published in the latest edition of Code Magazine, John discusses the gray area that is holding software developers to standards of ethical conduct. Specifics of why ethical standards for software developers currently cease to exist and why efforts have failed in the past are described in the reading and details how accountants and other professionals are held to a certain set of standards, but there are no such criterion for software developers. The need for ethical standards for specific professions is a given, as one wouldn’t feel comfortable if their doctor wasn’t properly trained to administer prescription drugs, or if their accountant wasn’t versed in the latest applicable tax codes. Without ethical standards, the business world and life as we know it would turn to chaos and anarchy in a hurry.
The landscape of technology and software engineering changes daily and at a more rapid pace compared to other professions. By the time a set of concrete ethical standards is established, some underlying principles might already have changed or shifted. The technology and software fields have seen exponential growth in recent history, with no signs of letting up. Complying with ethical standards can ensure one’s ability to establish and maintain lasting and meaningful business relationships. In my personal opinion, one should always adhere to ethical standards spoken or unspoken as this practice simply promotes good business, well maybe not for lawyers.
Resources:
Petersen, J. (2017). Legal Notes: Should Software Developers Be Subject to Professional Standards of Ethical Conduct? Code Magazine, Nov/Dec 2017 Issue. Retrieved from http://www.codemag.com/article/1711041
Ethics Word Cloud |Online Image|. (2010) Retrieved November 5, 2017, from http://www.subliminalhacking.net/2010/08/05/social-engineering-is-it-ethical/