Source Code and Employers
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Hi, I often see job adds that mention that the programmers should bring along source code of past projects. In sum, what if employers were to make copies of the source code and then turn around and not hire you? Kuphryn
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Hi, I often see job adds that mention that the programmers should bring along source code of past projects. In sum, what if employers were to make copies of the source code and then turn around and not hire you? Kuphryn
It goes without saying that if they would steal the code in such a manner you probably wouldn't want to work there anyway. I certainly wouldn't hand them over an entire application, just snippets.
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Hi, I often see job adds that mention that the programmers should bring along source code of past projects. In sum, what if employers were to make copies of the source code and then turn around and not hire you? Kuphryn
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Hi, I often see job adds that mention that the programmers should bring along source code of past projects. In sum, what if employers were to make copies of the source code and then turn around and not hire you? Kuphryn
Unless your past projects were academic, I suggest politely explaining to the interviewing company that your past projects were all works for hire owned exclusively by the past employer or contract holder. Disclosing code not owned by you would be unethical and possibly illegal. Further, if they decide to hire you, they would also benefit from your zeal in guarding their source code and related proprietary information from unauthorized disclosure or plagiarism. If you do offer any code snippets, make sure they are (1) your own original work, (2) not used in any for-hire project, and (3) contain a clear copyright notice in the source code text. (Yes, a CP article would be an excellent way to do this). ;^) -rick
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Unless your past projects were academic, I suggest politely explaining to the interviewing company that your past projects were all works for hire owned exclusively by the past employer or contract holder. Disclosing code not owned by you would be unethical and possibly illegal. Further, if they decide to hire you, they would also benefit from your zeal in guarding their source code and related proprietary information from unauthorized disclosure or plagiarism. If you do offer any code snippets, make sure they are (1) your own original work, (2) not used in any for-hire project, and (3) contain a clear copyright notice in the source code text. (Yes, a CP article would be an excellent way to do this). ;^) -rick
rfmobile wrote: owned exclusively by the past employer I was about to write the same, I am 100% in agreement with you. After all if you are prepared to "steal" source code from your current employer what else would you do?
"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one." - Elbert Hubbard
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Hi, I often see job adds that mention that the programmers should bring along source code of past projects. In sum, what if employers were to make copies of the source code and then turn around and not hire you? Kuphryn
I applied for a job once (got it btw) where they wanted to see some source code. I chose to show them the source code for a games chat client I wrote (for free download). I wasn't making money from it but I was very concerned that showing them the code would not compromise server security. So I insisted they sign a non-disclosure agreement. They understood my reasons and respected the NDA :) Rob Manderson http://www.mindprobes.net "I killed him dead cuz he was stepping on my turf, cutting me out of my bling the same way my ho cuts cookies, officer" "Alright then, move along" - Ian Darling, The Lounge, Oct 10 2003
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Hi, I often see job adds that mention that the programmers should bring along source code of past projects. In sum, what if employers were to make copies of the source code and then turn around and not hire you? Kuphryn
kuphryn wrote: I often see job adds that mention that the programmers should bring along source code of past projects. I've been asked this from time to time in interviews, and my answer is always the same. Source code from previous clients or employers is their proprietary information, and I honor that just the same as I would the code I write for them should they hire me. There's been a couple of times where the response was that they had no interest in the code at all - they just wanted to see what kind of person I was. That's something to keep in mind, no matter what question they ask you. The world is full of good coders. Consequently, good ethics will very often set you apart from your competition and win the day. Christopher Duncan Today's Corporate Battle Tactic Unite the Tribes: Ending Turf Wars for Career and Business Success The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World
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Hi, I often see job adds that mention that the programmers should bring along source code of past projects. In sum, what if employers were to make copies of the source code and then turn around and not hire you? Kuphryn
There is no shortcut to software engineering. You either get the job done or you are out. Thanks for the thoughts. When asked for samples of past projects, I will bring the compiled program and a copy of some classes in the project. Otherwise, I will setup the interviewer's system to remotely log onto my home workstation and compile the project. Kuphryn