Cargo cult programming
cargo cult programming
programming, humour
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 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)
Read Also:
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any of various native religious cults of a millenarian and messianic character located in the southwestern Pacific islands, holding that spirits will bring large cargoes of modern goods for distribution among its adherents. noun a religious movement of the SW Pacific, characterized by expectation of the return of spirits in ships or aircraft carrying goods […]
- Cargo-liner
a cargo ship that sails regularly between designated ports according to a published schedule.
- Cargo pants
plural noun loose trousers with a large external pocket on the side of each leg Contemporary Examples Shirtless bros with pillowy lips and cargo pants pulled down to expose tufts of pubic hair. Abercrombie & Ditch: The Fall of the House of Tween Lizzie Crocker December 9, 2014 I had terrible skin and short hair […]
- Cargo-pocket
a large patch pocket, usually pleated at the sides and often having a flap.
- Cargoes
the lading or freight of a ship, airplane, etc. load. cargos, pants or shorts having several cargo pockets to hold bulky gear and small items. of or denoting a style of pants or shorts with cargo pockets. Historical Examples Now they could no longer enter the ports of that or of any other of the […]