資料來源 : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing
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)