One of the users asked many questions about who we are and the direction of CodeProject. Here are the questions and answers:
Personal Background
Can you tell us a little about yourself—where you’re from and your background?
I am David Lyman, owner of D2 Emerge, the company that purchased CodeProject last November. I have been deeply involved in the software development publishing industry for decades. My journey began with producing software development websites, magazines, and conferences. A memorable moment for me was being at Bill Gates' keynote for the official launch of VS.NET back on February 13, 2002, when I was working at Fawcette Technical Publications (producer of VSLive! and Visual Studio Magazine). My professional life has been dedicated to serving the developer community for over 20 years, giving me a long-standing perspective on the industry's evolution.
Have you contributed to CodeProject in the past, for example through articles or community involvement?
While not an author of articles, I've been a long-time user and subscriber of CodeProject since the mid-2000s. I have always had a great respect and admiration for the community and the quality of the content. The publishing world is a tight-knit community, and my friendship with CodeProject's co-founder, David Cunningham, goes back many years. This long-standing connection and personal experience as a user of the site instilled a deep appreciation for what CodeProject represents.
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Rebuild Story and Ownership
What’s the story behind the rebuild of CodeProject?
The story of the rebuild is one of preservation and renewal. We at D2 Emerge saw an opportunity to step in and save a phenomenal community that had become a cornerstone of the developer landscape. CodeProject's original business, CodeProject Solutions Inc., had been struggling financially and had to switch the site to read-only mode in October 2024. Seeing the risk of this incredible archive of code, articles, and technical advice being lost, we made the decision to purchase the site to ensure its longevity. Our goal is to be a steward of this great site, to not only preserve its past but to also bring it forward into the new age of AI and software development.
Who is behind the relaunch—was the site purchased, or is it under new ownership?
The relaunch is being led by D2 Emerge LLC. The site was purchased from its previous owners. D2 Emerge is the publisher of well-known publications like SD Times and ITOps Times. Our team has a rich history in the tech media space, and we're committed to investing in CodeProject to serve its community of millions of users. CodeProject will be operated as its own division within our company, ensuring it retains its unique identity and focus while benefiting from our resources and experience.
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Challenges and Future
What have been the biggest challenges in bringing CodeProject back?
The most significant challenge has been the technical rebuild of the site itself. The platform had a legacy infrastructure, and migrating all the content—including the vast archives of articles, forum posts, and user profiles—while building a new, modern, and scalable platform has been a complex undertaking. We've been working diligently to ensure that the user experience is restored, and that we can add new features without breaking what has made the site great for over 25 years. The support from the community, especially those who have followed our progress on Discord, has been a huge motivator.
What role do you see for the CodeProject community going forward?
The community is, and always will be, the heart of CodeProject. AI will dramatically lower the barrier to entry for coding, which means millions of new developers will enter the field. This presents a huge opportunity for the advanced users and veterans of the CodeProject community to step into a leadership role. Your knowledge and guidance will be more valuable than ever. We see the community's role as mentors, content creators, and advisors, helping to guide these new users and shape the future of programming. It's a chance for our long-time members to advance their own brands and solidify their reputations by providing mentorship and expert advice.
How can developers contribute or get involved today?
Developers can get involved by doing what they've always done on CodeProject: sharing their knowledge. We encourage you to start with the following:
Write Articles: Share your expertise, tutorials, and projects. As AI-assisted coding becomes more prevalent, there will be a huge need for clear, well-documented examples.
Engage in Discussions: Answer questions in the forums, provide feedback on new articles, and help troubleshoot issues for fellow developers.
What future changes or directions do you envision for CodeProject?
We envision CodeProject becoming a central hub for navigating the new AI-driven world of software development. This means:
Focus on Software Development: The site's content will focus on topics relevant to developers, the tooling being created with AI, and how to use these technologies to become a better developer. That being said, the core CodeProject resources and articles will still be there.
Expanded Content Formats: While articles and forums will remain core, we're exploring new content formats to make learning even more accessible.
Modernizing the Platform: We will continue to invest in modernizing the site's technology to ensure it is fast, responsive, and easy to use on any device.
Finally, what excites you most about this new chapter?
What excites me most is the opportunity to witness a rebirth of a community that I have long admired. We are at the dawn of a new era in software development, and CodeProject has the unique opportunity to play a vital role in it. The prospect of connecting millions of new, enthusiastic coders with the wisdom and experience of CodeProject's advanced users is why we are here revitalizing the community. The future of coding is not just about the technology itself, but about the people who wield it, and I'm incredibly excited to see what this community will build together.
