A-level Computing/CIE/Theory Fundamentals/Ethics and ownership

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Ethics

  • show a basic understanding of ethics
  • explain how ethics may impact on the job role of the computing professional
  • show understanding of the eight categories listed in the ACM/IEEE Software Engineering Code of Ethics
  • demonstrate the relevance of these categories to some typical software developer workplace scenarios
  • show understanding of the need for a professional code of conduct for a computer system developer

Ownership

  • show understanding of the concept of ownership and copyright of software and data
  • describe the need for legislation to protect ownership, usage and copyright
  • discuss measures to restrict access to data made available through the internet and World Wide Web
  • show understanding of the implications of different types of software licensing: Free Software Foundation, the Open Source Initiative, shareware and commercial software

Ethics[edit | edit source]

Computing professionals may have a great impact on the success of an organisation, the protection and privacy of its employees, and the protection, privacy and safety of the public. When designing and building systems, software developers (engineers) have opportunities to cause harm to their clients and to the public, such as:

  • failing to make sure their software is fit for purpose (for example, consider the implications of a safety system that has faulty software)
  • including malicious software designed to spread malware
  • including unauthorised and undeclared ways into the system (backdoor) so that they can later gain access without their client’s knowledge.

The Software Engineering Code of Ethics has the following principles of ethics and ownership to help ensure that computer professionals act in a moral way:

  • Public: Act consistently in the public
  • Client: Act in the best interests of the client
  • Employer: Act in the best interests of their employer
  • Product: Software and related modifications should reach highest possible standards
  • Judgement: Maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgement
  • Management: Team leaders should subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance
  • Profession: Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession
  • Colleagues: Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues
  • Self: Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession
Extension: Reilly Top 10

Each year Reilly produces a list of ethical dilemmas and policy issues in science and technology. Read the list and think about how you could apply the Software Code of Ethics.
Reilly Top 10

Ownership[edit | edit source]

When we create something unique, we have ownership of it. The thing that has been created is known as intellectual property. Copyright laws exist to protect our intellectual property. Copyright gives the owner the exclusive right to copy, sell, develop or license to others.

  • copyright - the legal right to intellectual property
  • freeware - copyrighted software that is available free of charge
  • intellectual property - something unique that has been physically created by someone (an idea that hasn’t been implemented is not intellectual property)
  • open source software - software that can be freely copied, distributed and adapted
  • shareware - copyrighted software that is available free of charge for a limited period, after which a license must be obtained
Extension: Why software should be free

Richard Stallman argues powerfully why software should be free. Read the article and discuss to what extent you agree with him.
Software Should Be Free Article

Review Questions[edit | edit source]

  1. How can you be an ethical computer programmer?
  2. Explain how ethics may impact on the job role of the computing professional
  3. What are the eight categories listed in the Software Engineering code of ethics?
  4. Why do we need a code of conduct?
  5. Why is copyright important?
  6. Describe the need for legislation to protect ownership, usage and copyright
  7. Discuss measures to restrict access to data made available through the internet and World Wide Web
  8. What is open source software?

Further Reading[edit | edit source]

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