BUGEMA UNIVERSITY

MAIN CAMPUS

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS

AN ASSIGNMENT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE

REQUIREMENTS OF THE COURSE: BSCT 1111: SOFTWARE
ENGINEERING ETHICS

TO
Mr. LOWU FRANCIS

BY

JOK ELIE AJAK JOK

22/BSE/BU/R/0010

NOVEMBER 2022
Questions:

1. a) Explain how Software Engineering profession affect humanity.

b) Explain the different Software Engineering ethical conduct expected during the
process of coming up with the product.
c) The Software Engineering professional ethics talk about “self” relate the word to
product and management as listed in the code of conduct.

1. a) How Software Engineering Profession affect Humanity

Software Engineers Improve Communication

Communication has taken a leap from ancient messengers and slow mail. Now, it only takes
seconds for a friend to get your Twitter or Facebook message. You can find childhood friends
and long-lost relatives on social media. One can now hold online classes through Zoom or
Google Meet video calls.

Communication has dramatically improved because of these programs and applications, but its
engineers and developers continue to work to develop and add more features. Every few months
or so, the software engineers are behind all the updates that keep these programs up to date and
keep them bug-free.

Software Engineers Help in the Storage of Large and Accessible Data

Businesses and companies rely heavily on data. They use it to analyze trends and make critical
decisions. We even benefit from these large troves of information through Google, Facebook,
and other platforms that allow us to retrieve data in mere seconds.
We also take advantage of our Cloud storage and Google Drives that can store many gigabytes of
files. But these data do not often come in small, 16GB flash drives; they are in large amounts and
are stored in large databases and devices. But what makes it all possible?

Large databases are products of the work done by software engineers. The computer systems and
networks allow this information to be stored for the long term and easily retrieved when needed.

Software Engineering professionals Can Help Address Problems or Challenges

Many software engineers create applications and programs, and some of these goals are to solve
pressing problems or issues. For instance, during the pandemic, a significant challenge was how
to reduce face-to-face interactions to contain the virus better. People shifted to online setups to
avoid virus exposure, but they could only successfully transition because of useful and effective
software.

ZOOM, Slack, Google Meet, ClickUp, and Google Workspace are just a few of the applications
and programs workers use and benefit from as they work online. As more people continue using
them, more software developers and engineers are called on to fix bugs, maintain the programs,
and add more features.

The Work of Software Engineers Makes Life Easier and More Convenient

In one way or another, everyone has experienced how software has automated, simplified, or
made life and daily tasks easier. For example, instead of dressing up and going out just to get
your favorite meal, it only takes a few taps in the food delivery app to order and have it
delivered.

Applications like MS Word or Google Docs also make typing documents and crafting
presentations a more effortless and faster task than before. Imagine having to hand-write
hundreds of pages!
Another essential product of software development is also artificial intelligence or AI. Virtual
assistants such as Google Assistant or Alexa keep your shopping list updated. Not to mention
your Spotify playlists. They are products of AI, and the people behind them are software
engineers. Although yet to be perfected, they have so much potential to help the world.

Software Engineers Help Catalyze the Development of Society

The work that software engineers do has no doubt helped in the overall development of society.
We have come from an era where computers were non-existent to a world where these gadgets
have made tasks that take months to happen in a few minutes or years. The software allows for
the automation of tasks and speeds up many processes.

Because of software’s convenience and advantages, many businesses and sectors have adapted to
it. That is why software engineers are in demand even beyond the technological industry.

They can build codes and programs for hospitals, businesses, schools, and governments. They
can also shape these products to fit the sector they are serving. Ultimately, their efforts and the
sector’s work allow rapid progression and better development as they compartmentalize and
focus.

b) Software Engineering Ethical Conducts expected when coming up with a project.

1. PUBLIC - Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest. This implies that
Software Engineers should accept full responsibility for their work. They should also approve
software only if they have a well-founded belief that it is safe, meets specifications, passes
appropriate tests, and does not diminish quality of life, diminish privacy or harm the
environment. The ultimate effect of the work should be to the public good.

2. CLIENT AND EMPLOYER - Software engineers shall act in a manner that is in the best
interests of their client and employer consistent with the public interest. Software Engineers have
to provide service in their areas of competence, being honest and forthright about any limitations
of their experience and education and use the property of a client or employer only in ways
properly authorized, and with the client’s or employer’s knowledge and consent.

3. PRODUCT - Software engineers shall ensure that their products and related modifications
meet the highest professional standards possible. In particular, Software Engineering
professional should strive for high quality, acceptable cost and a reasonable schedule, ensuring
significant tradeoffs are clear to and accepted by the employer and the client, and are available
for consideration by the user and the public.

4. PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT - Software engineers shall maintain integrity and

independence in their professional judgment. They should maintain professional objectivity with
respect to any software or related documents they are asked to evaluate.

5. MANAGEMENT - Software engineering managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote
an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance. Software
Engineers should ensure good management for any project on which they work, including
effective procedures for promotion of quality and reduction of risk.

6. PROFESSION - Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the
profession consistent with the public interest. In particular, software engineers shall, as
appropriate help develop an organizational environment favorable to acting ethically.
7. COLLEAGUES - Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues. They
encourage colleagues to adhere to the Codes and assist colleagues in professional development.

8. SELF - Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their
profession and shall promote an ethical approach to the practice of the profession.SE shall
further their knowledge of developments in the analysis, specification, design, development,
maintenance and testing of software and related documents, together with the management of the
development process and improve their ability to create safe, reliable, and useful quality software
at reasonable cost and within a reasonable time.

SELF as an ethical principle improves Software engineers’ ability to create a safe, reliable and
useful quality product and the management of the created products. It also improves the capacity
and understanding of the professionals to produce accurate products and the environment on
which they will be managed.
References:

Francis L. (2022) Software engineering ethics: Ethical principles. Kampala: Bugema University.

Don G. , Keith M. and Simon R. 1997. Software engineering code of ethics. Commmun ACM
40, 11 (November 1997), 110-118.