In the case presented, the code is, in fact, already written: it's in Cocoa. So all the person needs to learn is how to call that code, which will be generally

In the case presented, the code is, in fact, already written: it's in Cocoa. So all the person needs to learn is how to call that code, which will be generally be different for each application. The reusable bit is already written; they're asking for the specific bit, and they should learn to write that. A library only abstracts the solution the problem; you still have to understand what you want to do to solve the problem at some level, so as to integrate the library into your solution. When someone just asks for code, it is clear that they are not interested in putting in the work to solve the problem; they are interested in getting paid (or getting a good grade, or whatever). I think that one of the reasons that this rubs us the wrong way is because hackerdom, by definition, loves the process of solving the problem, with getting paid being a pleasant side-effect. The person who asks "can I just have the code" is, in many ways, antithetical to the idea of a "hacker".