[1] : Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001)

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.


see also:
shotgun debugging voodoo programming 

[2] : The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03)

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.
     
        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
     
     
see also:
shotgun debugging voodoo programming jargon file 

Cargo >> C Words
Cargo, definition of term: Cargo
cargo_pag1.html

Cult >> C Words
Cult, definition of term: Cult
cult_pag1.html

Cargo Vessel >> C Words
Cargo Vessel, definition of term: Cargo Vessel
cargo+vessel_pag1.html

Cult Of Persona >> C Words
Cult Of Persona, definition of term: Cult Of Persona
cult+of+persona_pag1.html