CARGO CULT PROGRAMMING
\kˈɑːɡə͡ʊ kˈʌlt pɹˈə͡ʊɡɹamɪŋ], \kˈɑːɡəʊ kˈʌlt pɹˈəʊɡɹamɪŋ], \k_ˈɑː_ɡ_əʊ k_ˈʌ_l_t p_ɹ_ˈəʊ_ɡ_ɹ_a_m_ɪ_ŋ]\
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A style of (incompetent) programmingdominated by ritual inclusion of code or program structuresthat serve no real purpose. A cargo cult programmer willusually explain the extra code as a way of working around somebug encountered in the past, but usually neither the bug northe reason the code apparently avoided the bug was ever fullyunderstood (compare shotgun debugging, voodooprogramming).The term "cargo cult" is a reference to aboriginal religionsthat grew up in the South Pacific after World War II. Thepractices of these cults centre on building elaborate mockupsof aeroplanes and military style landing strips in the hope ofbringing the return of the god-like aeroplanes that broughtsuch marvelous cargo during the war. Hackish usage probablyderives from Richard Feynman's characterisation of certainpractices as "cargo cult science" in his book "Surely You'reJoking, Mr. Feynman" (W. W. Norton & Co, New York 1985, ISBN0-393-01921-7).
By Denis Howe
Word of the day
dust storm
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Nearby Words
- cargile membrane
- cargo
- cargo area
- cargo container
- cargo cult
- cargo cult programming
- cargo deck
- cargo door
- cargo hatch
- cargo helicopter
- cargo hold