The Programmer's Oath

I swear by Ritchie, by Dijkstra, by Turing, and by all the gods and goddesses, making them my witness, that I will carry out, according to my ability and judgment, this oath and this indenture.

Into whatsoever tribes I enter, I will enter to build a better world, and I will abstain from all intentional wrongdoing and harm, especially from abusing the minds of my fellow men by entrapping them with the outcome of my programming. I will not succumb to the pressure of my tribe to write code harmful to others, as the rights of the individual are above any tribe's wish for power or gold.

I will not ever use dark patterns, and I will warn my brethren and sistren of the danger they pose. The way of my programming shall be the way of light, and I will always make sure the intentions of the scripts I write are clear to all, bond or free.

I shall make it my life's quest to create only the best quality wares I am able to, and I will proudly stand behind my works. I will thirstily learn new ways to elevate my craft and I shall do so as long as I live the life of a programmer.

Now, if I carry out this oath, and break it not, may I gain forever reputation among all men for my craft; but if I break it and forswear myself, may all my buffers overrun, and all the bits I ever write flip fortuitously!