As aspiring Software Craftsmen we are raising the bar of professional software development by practicing it and helping others learn the craft. Through this work we have come to value:The above is quoted from The Manifesto for Software Craftsmanship. Dr. Dobb's Agile Update 03/09 describes the above in more detail, and also the Agile Manifesto, from which it is derived.
- Not only working software, but also well-crafted software
- Not only responding to change, but also steadily adding value
- Not only individuals and interactions, but also a community of professionals
- Not only customer collaboration, but also productive partnerships
The manifesto is a concise set of ideals all practicing professional software developers should follow. I also suggest adhering to the IEEE-CS and ACM endorsed Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice (also found on the online ethics site, as a PDF, and at the ACM site), perhaps even more so, given the status of these organizations. The short form (i.e. preamble) is:
Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice
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.
IEEE-CS/ACM Joint Task Force on Software Engineering Ethics and Professional Practices (version 5.2)
