SOFTWARE ENGINEERING ETHICS:
Software engineering is carried out within a social and legal framework that limits the freedom of people working in that area. As a software engineer, you must accept that your job involves wider responsibilities than simply the application of technical skills. You must also behave in an ethical and morally responsible way if you are to be respected as a professional engineer. It goes without saying that you should uphold normal standards of honesty and integrity. You should not use your skills and abilities to behave in a dishonest way or in a way that will bring disrepute to the software engineering profession. However, there are areas where standards of acceptable behaviour are not bound by laws but by the more tenuous notion of professional responsibility. Some of these are:
1. Confidentiality : You should normally respect the confidentiality of your employers
or clients irrespective of whether or not a formal confidentiality agreement
has been signed.
2. Competence : You should not misrepresent your level of competence. You should not knowingly accept work that is outside your competence.
3. Intellectual property rights : You should be aware of local laws governing the use of intellectual property such as patents and copyright. You should be careful to ensure that the intellectual property of employers and clients is protected.
4. Computer misuse : You should not use your technical skills to misuse other people’s computers. Computer misuse ranges from relatively trivial (game playing on an employer’s machine, say) to extremely serious (dissemination of viruses or other malware).
ETHICS RELATES TO A SOFTWARE ENGINEER:
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.
