Launch day is tomorrow
Kofi is a developer. The app launches tomorrow. He finds a bug. It may show one user's details to another user.
His manager says: "We cannot move the date. Say nothing."
What should Kofi do? Professionals have guides for hard moments like this.
Key words
| Word | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Code of conduct | A written guide to how people in a group should behave. | A company's rules for staff |
| Professional body | An organisation for people in one profession. It sets rules and supports its members. | The British Computer Society |
| Integrity | Being honest and doing the right thing. | Telling the truth about a bug |
| Confidentiality | Keeping private things private. | Not sharing a client's data |
| Standard | An agreed way of doing something. | A rule for safe payment systems |
| Protocol | An agreed set of rules for how computers talk to each other. | HTTP for websites |
| Accessibility | Designing so people with extra needs can use it. | Text that a screen reader can read |
| Competence | Being able to do a job well. | Writing safe code |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Quick check: what would Kofi do?
Have a go
Quick check: what would Kofi do?
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Where do codes of conduct come from?
A code of conduct says how people should act. There are three main sources.
The organisation you work for. A professional body. The government.
Each one is a guide. Some codes are only advice. Some are tied to your job or to the law.
Three sources of codes
| Source | Example | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| Organisational | A company's own staff code | How to treat customers, share data and use company equipment |
| Professional | The British Computer Society (BCS) | Act in the public interest. Be competent and honest. Respect your employer and your profession |
| Professional | The Institution of Analysts and Programmers (IAP) | A code of conduct for members who work as analysts and programmers |
| Professional | The Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) | A code for people who work in security |
| Governmental | The Civil Service Code | Civil servants are honest, fair and act with integrity |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
How codes change what people do
A code of conduct is not a poster on a wall. It shapes daily choices. The table shows five effects.
Five effects of a code of conduct
| Effect | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Follow company rules and the law | You check the data rules before you copy customer files |
| Protect the public and keep quality high | You test your code and report a fault that could harm users |
| Meet deadlines honestly | You say early if a date cannot be met |
| Communicate well | You explain problems in plain words and keep your team told |
| Keep confidence and build trust | You do not share client information with friends |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Scenario: hard choices
Have a go
Scenario: hard choices
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.