Source : 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)