3 ms·

Suppose you wanted to do what some code does, then you see this LGPL code. What can you do? Adjust variable names and play with line spacing and comments until

Suppose you wanted to do what some code does, then you see this LGPL code. What can you do? Adjust variable names and play with line spacing and comments until it feels different?

andrewxdiamond 4y ago
Write it yourself
- wilg 4y ago
  So, then, there's no way to know whether someone wrote it themself or "copied" it verbatim.
  - dharmab 4y ago
    There is legal basis for determining if software is copied. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structure,_sequence_and_organization https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structure,_sequence_and_organi...
    - wilg 4y ago
      I would love to see how that applies to Copilot!
- spywaregorilla 4y ago
  I wrote it myself and it came out looking very similar. What do I do?
klyrs 4y ago
First off, that's a library of pedagogical implementations, so I wouldn't even want to copy it -- I'd prefer a library focused on performance. Second, it's linear algebra, there are alternative implementations and libraries out there. Third, it's covered by the LGPL, so I'd be perfectly happy to link to the library. Fourth, I'd look up a pseudocode description and go from there. In no case would I sit down with another person's implementation and give it the undergrad treatment to pretend that I'm not copying.
- spywaregorilla 4y ago
  So if it's fine to copy the pseudocode implementation of a non public use codebase, then you couldn't possibly object to recreating a codebase into a different language then, right?
- williamcotton 4y ago
  "In computer programs, concerns for efficiency may limit the possible ways to achieve a particular function, making a particular expression necessary to achieving the idea. In this case, the expression is not protected by copyright." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstraction-Filtration-Comparison_test https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstraction-Filtration-Compari...
catiopatio 4y ago
> Suppose you wanted to do what some code does, then you see this LGPL code. Suppose you want to express what some other writing does, and then you see that writing? What can you do? (You write your ideas in your own words, and quote and cite your sources)
- spywaregorilla 4y ago
  But I don't care about the expression of the idea. I just want the idea to work. And I don't know how to do the idea myself. And I've seen how you've done it. If I want to describe life with a nature metaphor, and then see you do it with a waterfall, I can probably get away with using a waterfall to the same metaphorical effect in my story. Can I do that in code?
gus_massa 4y ago
Many open source project don't allow contributions from people that have worked with similar projects with incompatible licenses. I remember https://github.com/cisco/ChezScheme/pull/376#issuecomment-459933760 https://github.com/cisco/ChezScheme/pull/376#issuecomment-45... and https://wiki.winehq.org/Developer_FAQ#Copyright_Issues https://wiki.winehq.org/Developer_FAQ#Copyright_Issues

Suppose you wanted to do what some code does, then you see this LGPL code. What can you do? Adjust variable names and play with line spacing and comments until it feels different?

andrewxdiamond 4y ago

Write it yourself

wilg 4y ago
So, then, there's no way to know whether someone wrote it themself or "copied" it verbatim.
- dharmab 4y ago
  There is legal basis for determining if software is copied. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structure,_sequence_and_organization https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structure,_sequence_and_organi...
  - wilg 4y ago
    I would love to see how that applies to Copilot!
spywaregorilla 4y ago
I wrote it myself and it came out looking very similar. What do I do?

klyrs 4y ago

First off, that's a library of pedagogical implementations, so I wouldn't even want to copy it -- I'd prefer a library focused on performance. Second, it's linear algebra, there are alternative implementations and libraries out there. Third, it's covered by the LGPL, so I'd be perfectly happy to link to the library. Fourth, I'd look up a pseudocode description and go from there. In no case would I sit down with another person's implementation and give it the undergrad treatment to pretend that I'm not copying.

spywaregorilla 4y ago
So if it's fine to copy the pseudocode implementation of a non public use codebase, then you couldn't possibly object to recreating a codebase into a different language then, right?
williamcotton 4y ago
"In computer programs, concerns for efficiency may limit the possible ways to achieve a particular function, making a particular expression necessary to achieving the idea. In this case, the expression is not protected by copyright." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstraction-Filtration-Comparison_test https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstraction-Filtration-Compari...

catiopatio 4y ago

> Suppose you wanted to do what some code does, then you see this LGPL code. Suppose you want to express what some other writing does, and then you see that writing? What can you do? (You write your ideas in your own words, and quote and cite your sources)

spywaregorilla 4y ago
But I don't care about the expression of the idea. I just want the idea to work. And I don't know how to do the idea myself. And I've seen how you've done it. If I want to describe life with a nature metaphor, and then see you do it with a waterfall, I can probably get away with using a waterfall to the same metaphorical effect in my story. Can I do that in code?

gus_massa 4y ago

Many open source project don't allow contributions from people that have worked with similar projects with incompatible licenses. I remember https://github.com/cisco/ChezScheme/pull/376#issuecomment-459933760 https://github.com/cisco/ChezScheme/pull/376#issuecomment-45... and https://wiki.winehq.org/Developer_FAQ#Copyright_Issues https://wiki.winehq.org/Developer_FAQ#Copyright_Issues