Click the right spot, edit the right file, or type in the secret sequence and, presto, you'll find anything from a list of the names of the programmers who created the product to a full-blown, multimedia tribute to the developers or sometimes even a game you can play. No one seems to be able to document the start of this practice, but Easter eggs have been cropping up in computer hardware and software for a couple of decades. Early cartridges for the Atari games contained Easter eggs. The latest hiding spots for Easter Eggs is in the now popular DVDs. Since I have spent part of my career as a programmer, I can affirm this fact without a shadow of a doubt.
Programmers work extensive hours and deal with many details and frustrations.
In order to manage long, exasperating projects, many programmers resort to somewhat unique diversions. Since programmers are inextricably connected to their computers, their little amusements almost always are computer-related. One such programmer diversion is to develop an Easter egg for a computer program and to hide it within his or her creation. The egg is an undocumented and usually well-hidden piece of the program. Over the years programmers have written Easter eggs for several reasons.