Computer Society Connection

S oftware engineering has evolved over the past several years from an activity of computer engineering to a discipline in its own right. With an eye toward formalizing the field, the IEEE Computer Society has engaged in several activities to advance the professionalism of software engineering, such as establishing certification requirements for software developers. To complement this work, a joint task force of the Computer Society and the ACM has recently established another linchpin of professionalism for software engineering: a code of ethics. After an extensive review process, version 5. PURPOSE The Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice, intended as a standard for teaching and practicing software engineering, documents the ethical and professional obligations of software engineers. The code should instruct practitioners about the standards society expects them to meet, about what their peers strive for, and about what to expect of one another. In addition, the code should inform the public about the responsibilities that are important to the profession. Adopted by the Computer Society and the ACM—two leading international computing societies—the code of ethics is intended as a guide for members of the evolving software engineering profession. The code was developed by a multinational task force with additional input from other professionals from industry, government posts, military installations, and educational professions .