Definition of Cargo cult programming

Babylon English
cargo cult programming
(Computers) programming style characterized by the use of meaningless code or program structures (allegedly to prevent the recurrence of bugs or problems encountered previously)

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Cargo cult programming definition was found in categories: Computer & Internet(2)  Language, Idioms & Slang(1)  Encyclopedia(1)  

Cargo cult programming Definition from Computer & Internet Dictionaries & Glossaries

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cargo cult programming
<programminghumour> A style of (incompetent) programming dominated by ritual inclusion of code or program structures that serve no real purpose. A cargo cult programmer will usually explain the extra code as a way of working around some bug encountered in the past, but usually neither the bug nor the reason the code apparently avoided the bug was ever fully understood (compare shotgun debuggingvoodoo programming).
The term "cargo cult" is a reference to aboriginal religions that grew up in the South Pacific after World War II. The practices of these cults centre on building elaborate mockups of aeroplanes and military style landing strips in the hope of bringing the return of the god-like aeroplanes that brought such marvelous cargo during the war. Hackish usage probably derives from Richard Feynman's characterisation of certain practices as "cargo cult science" in his book "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman" (W. W. Norton & Co, New York 1985, ISBN 0-393-01921-7).
[Jargon File]
(2002-05-28)

Jargon File
cargo cult programming
n. A style of (incompetent) programming dominated by ritual inclusion of code or program structures that serve no real purpose. A cargo cult programmer will usually explain the extra code as a way of working around some bug encountered in the past, but usually neither the bug nor the reason the code apparently avoided the bug was ever fully understood (compare shotgun debugging, voodoo programming).

The term `cargo cult' is a reference to aboriginal religions that grew up in the South Pacific after World War II. The practices of these cults center on building elaborate mockups of airplanes and military style landing strips in the hope of bringing the return of the god-like airplanes that brought such marvelous cargo during the war. Hackish usage probably derives from Richard Feynman's characterization of certain practices as "cargo cult science" in his book "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" (W. W. Norton & Co, New York 1985, ISBN 0-393-01921-7).


Cargo cult programming Definition from Language, Idioms & Slang Dictionaries & Glossaries

hEnglish - advanced version
cargo cult programming

cargo cult programming
a style of (incompetent) programming dominated by ritual inclusion of code or program structures that serve no real purpose. a cargo cult programmer will usually explain the extra code as a way of working around some bug encountered in the past, but usually neither the bug nor the reason the code apparently avoided the bug was ever fully understood (compare shotgun debugging, voodoo programming).



Cargo cult programming Definition from Encyclopedia Dictionaries & Glossaries

Wikipedia English - The Free Encyclopedia
Cargo cult programming
Cargo cult programming is a style of computer programming that is characterized by the ritual inclusion of code or program structures that serve no real purpose. Cargo cult programming is typically symptomatic of a programmer not understanding either the bug they were attempting to solve or the apparent solution (compare shotgun debuggingvoodoo programming).

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