An ethics? question...

[shensyel]

I'm just wondering what the prevailing opinion is about copying code from other websites for use on one's own site...

Is it considered bad form to find something you like online, view the source code, copy it and alter it for use on your own site?

I welcome your opinions. Thanks,

Steve

[Jona]

Well the best programmers always avoid any kinds of snippets of code. I normally ask for help here when I'm in need of help. But sometimes I'll go and look at Dynamicdrive.com or something to help me out if I forget something like (in JavaScript) document.formName.selectBoxName[document.formName.selectBoxName.options.selectedIndex].value or something long like that. And occasionally I'll see code at a Web site that interests me, and I copy the source. But I usually do it because it interests me and I learn from it. That's how I learn a lot of things.

[Damien]

“they say imitation is the best form of flattery ”

If you liked a piece of code on a website and dropped the webmaster an e-mail saying you liked the code and could you use it, 90% would agree wholeheartedly. There is tons of free code on the web, if fact there’s quite a lot on this forum.

[pyro]

I agree with Damien, a simple note asking if they mind if you use thier code is, if nothing else, curtious...

[Compguy Pete]

The other side of asking first in some cases...

That person my have paid for the script/code and you wouldn't want to be tracked down for having illegal software.

On the other side I often look at the coding of other designers... Simply to compare how they did it over how maybe I would have done it. This is great way to learn different styles and methods of design.