from
Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
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).
from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
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)