The Clean Code Blog

by Robert C. Martin (Uncle Bob)

The Programmer's Oath

18 November 2015

In order to defend and preserve the honor of the profession of computer programmers,

I Promise that, to the best of my ability and judgement:

  1. I will not produce harmful code.

  2. The code that I produce will always be my best work. I will not knowingly allow code that is defective either in behavior or structure to accumulate.

  3. I will produce, with each release, a quick, sure, and repeatable proof that every element of the code works as it should.

  4. I will make frequent, small, releases so that I do not impede the progress of others.

  5. I will fearlessly and relentlessly improve my creations at every opportunity. I will never degrade them.

  6. I will do all that I can to keep the productivity of myself, and others, as high as possible. I will do nothing that decreases that productivity.

  7. I will continuously ensure that others can cover for me, and that I can cover for them.

  8. I will produce estimates that are honest both in magnitude and precision. I will not make promises without certainty.

  9. I will never stop learning and improving my craft.