Code of Ethics and Professional Practice
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In 1999, a task force was created by IEEE and ACM to author a code of ethics for our profession; it stands the test of time as an excellent statement of the ideals that we (as developers) strive to uphold. I have posted the summary version here for the benefit of anyone who has not yet read it.
Introduction
This code of ethics was developed by the IEEE-CS/ACM joint task force on Software Engineering Ethics and Professional Practices . It was jointly approved by the ACM and the IEEE-CS as the standard for teaching and practicing software engineering.
This summary version of the code summarizes aspirations at a high level of abstraction. The clauses included in the full version of this code give examples and details of how these aspirations change the way we act as software engineering professionals. Without the aspirations, the details can become legalistic and tedious; without the details, the aspirations can become high sounding but empty; together, the aspirations and the details form a cohesive code of ethics and professional practice.
Code
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
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.
Copyright (c) 1999 by the Association for Computing Machinery, Inc. and the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.