Re: Do programers give their 'source' CODE when creating/giving a software to you?

Discussion in 'Programming' started by eyes2005, Nov 18, 2009.

  1. #1
    If getting some basic programs made, in visual basic, and java... by a freelancer programmer..... do they usually just give the

    -software as an EXE file Alone

    or software And the bare source code aswell?

    do they give the software With the code? or without?, which is the more common one programmers do, if we pay the full price?


    It is a personalised software which I am telling him what to make. It is an idea in my head, he is making, and sending to me. (its original too from my idea, and isnt his)


    (I know it depends on the programmer- but generally, do they usually give the bare source code aswel as the software?)
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2009
    eyes2005, Nov 18, 2009 IP
  2. n3r0x

    n3r0x Well-Known Member

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    #2
    Some programmers do, some don´t.. I always send a copy of the code if they pay for the full rights.. But some developers don´t due to the fact that you will have to hire them to update the application..

    But you should negotiate about the source code before the developer starts coding, then there won´t be any surprises when the project is done.
     
    n3r0x, Nov 18, 2009 IP
  3. HowDoYou

    HowDoYou Well-Known Member

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    #3
    low price for just the exe, + i get to sell the software else where, if you want all rights to the code, compiled + source code, the price is higher.
     
    HowDoYou, Nov 18, 2009 IP
  4. same

    same Greenhorn

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    #4
    i think programmer never give the source code of the project what they did ........

    they will give you the setup and the files to run the project..so that you run it .

    many of the times some changes are needed in the project so at that time need code and if they

    give the code to you means whatever work they did in the past will known to you easily so they never do that....!
     
    same, Nov 19, 2009 IP
  5. GPo

    GPo Peon

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    #5
    As a freelancer i would give a code.
     
    GPo, Nov 20, 2009 IP
  6. meno

    meno Active Member

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    #6
    as a frelancer I will provide the source code ....
    because I was not able to provide support and update services for all, like most frellancer .....
    finish the work, make sure all was right ..... then receive a payment ... to monitor 1-3 weeks.
    Then forget it, looking for another project
     
    meno, Nov 22, 2009 IP
  7. ColdMoon

    ColdMoon Peon

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    #7
    Really depends on what was the deal but most likely yes. Personally, I always pack it with the binaries so in case if the client would want to port it to other platforms, he could do it without asking someone else to build the same application again.
     
    ColdMoon, Nov 23, 2009 IP
  8. jmpf

    jmpf Peon

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    #8
    As a software developer I can affirmatively say that I'd NEVER do business with someone who was writing custom software and wouldn't give me the source code. That is a HUGE red flag and run away as fast as you can!

    Now, having said that -- if it IS NOT personalized software and it's something like adobe photoshop then obviously it would behoove the programmer NOT to give you the source as someone would rip it off -- this is where keys and the like come in.

    So it depends but as a rule -- customized software had better come with source!
     
    jmpf, Nov 24, 2009 IP
  9. NeoCambell

    NeoCambell Peon

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    #9
    If you are going to hire a freelancer for a job, you must request the source code. Compiled EXE has no value as there will be no after sale service usually.
    Pay some more and get the source.
     
    NeoCambell, Dec 2, 2009 IP
  10. ebookbusiness

    ebookbusiness Member

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    #10
    I usually request the source code along with the software. Future updates become impossible without the source code. However, most freelancers I have worked with do charge extra for "full" source rights.
     
    ebookbusiness, Dec 3, 2009 IP
  11. exit7

    exit7 Peon

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    #11
    Your question was "do they usually give the bare source code as well as the software."

    The answer of course is that it depends on what your agreement was. Like someone here said, you need to decide that before you start having them do the work.

    Having said that, I'm a programmer, and I totally agree with JMPF. Getting a custom piece of software without source code is pretty right close to worthless. Unless your thoughts are perfect and complete, you will always think of something you want to change or have added later. Also, in the likely event that you ever find any bugs, you are totally at the mercy of the original programmer, assuming they even have an unaltered copy of the source code still available. Otherwise, you get to start over.

    I would never hire anything custom coded unless I was also receiving the source.
     
    exit7, Dec 5, 2009 IP
  12. NeoCambell

    NeoCambell Peon

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    #12
    You are exactly right
     
    NeoCambell, Dec 5, 2009 IP