Cargo Cult Software
Definition
Cargo Cult Programming is a term used to describe interfaces that are designed to look like other interfaces, but with none of the inherent functionality of those interfaces. For instance, a company may copy a user interface from Apple just because it is successful, but not actually implement any of the interactions or design consistency anywhere else in their application.
It is based on the idea that people would worship an object that fall from the sky and attempt to recreate it, but that that object would only look like the original, and not function like the original. The number of people hiring web developers with the intent of "having them program the next Facebook" is an example of cargo culture development. It is the development of something without understanding the underlying intent or purpose of a current system.
From the Editor IEEE Software, March/April 2000 Cargo Cult Software Engineering
Steve McConnell http://stevemcconnell.com/ieeesoftware/eic10.htm
http://www.softpanorama.org/Skeptics/cargo_cult_programming.shtml
