Software engineering ethics
Information systems are becoming the norm of managing processes in the world today. There is a need to ensure that the software that is being developed meet the requirements and also the ethics of software development. In developing an information system that will track people actions in a given country, there are ethical considerations that should be followed. The first principle is that of the principle of public interest. The software engineers who are developing this software should act consistently with the public interest. One issue that should be consistent with the public interest is that of privacy. Even though terrorism should be looked into and controlled, there is a need to ensure that the privacy of the public should be taken care of. The public should not feel as if they are being spied and cannot do things freely.
The second principle in software development ethics consideration is that of client and employer. The client is the user, especially the security authorities, and the employer is the government. The client should be comfortable with the system and find it easy working with the system. The client should find it better working with the system than working manually. The government should find it easy to manage the movement of people and also track the actions of people with suspicious dealings. The system should solve the problem of terrorism.
Another principle is that of product where the engineers should ensure that the products that they produce should meet the highest standards of professionalism. The system that should be developed should be as professional as possible. It should have security features and should be simple to use. It should not be complicated. It should also be possible to upgrade and add functionalities in future.
The software developers should also be good in judgment so that they will be able to have the right judgment about the requirements of the product. They should understand the various decisions and processes while they are developing the system. They should be able to take control. This is according to the principle of judgment where it is required that software engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgment.
Software engineers should strive to enhance the professionalism and the integrity of the software engineering and software development. This is ethical and will ensure that software development is not stagnant. The advancement should from an urge to enhance the interest of the public. Terrorism is something that is being advanced every day. The development of information system should be professional.
It is also an engineering ethic that engineers should support their colleagues. They should also practice fairness to their colleagues. Information systems do not have the authority and command of one software developer. Software systems are things that are undertaken with high skills and complexity. There is therefore a need to ensure that colleagues work together to come up with strategies to mitigate this vice.
The last principle is that of self. Engineers are also required to continue learning and promote their learning and ensure that in all their endeavors, they shall promote professionalism and ethics. They should seek knowledge so that they are aware of current trends in the profession. With terrorism evolving every day, software engineers should learn what is going on and should come up with counter measures for emerging terrorism ways.
