Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!pantor!richard
From: richard@pantor.UUCP (Richard Sargent)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.c++
Subject: Re: Do class libraries have to be in source form? (1 of 4)
Message-ID: <33.UUL1.3#5109@pantor.UUCP>
Date: 21 Nov 89 13:56:54 GMT
References: <176@taumet.UUCP>
Organization: Pansophic Systems Inc, Graphics Product Company
Lines: 54

> From: mike@taumet.UUCP (Michael S. Ball)
> Message-ID: <176@taumet.UUCP>
> Date: 20 Nov 89 15:32:31 GMT
...
> 
> 1.  Are object-only versions of class libraries a good idea.
> 
> 2.  Why to vendors of class libraries want to distribute object-only
>     versions rather than source code.
> 
> 3.  Why did I (and others) have such a negative reaction to the
>     expert pronouncements.
> 
Note: this is not the definitive Answer. However, I am a software
developer and I work for a company which markets software. What a
company believes and what is reality are seldom the same thing.

In general, I do not have the time, inclination, nor the funding to
deal with source code for libraries. Essentially, I want to buy a
product which works and *use* it. My experiences are with C rather
than C++, so there may be fundamental differences of which I am
unaware.

There are a number of reasons why vendors do not want to release
source code. They include "proprietary technology", fear of abuse
of their efforts (regardless of the illegality of such), no desire
to be responsible to support the source (sure, they can disclaim),
a desire to keep their dirty linen out of the public view (would
you like people looking at everything you ever wrote?) as this could
result in negative marketing considerations, etc. The last, for example,
could be something like the code was hacked together, but works and
works well. They don't want you to be put off by its appearance. They
want to sell lots of copies instead. It is immaterial whether that
is a good thing for you.

One of my coworkers always buys source with any libraries he gets.
He wants the option to fix their bugs rather than wait for fixes.
He wants to be able to learn how they do something tricky.
etc.

In a university environment, where source licensing is common,
people may have strong objections to not being able to get the
source. *If* you have carried such an attitude into the commercial
world, that may be one of the reasons you object so strongly. I
am not claiming that you have, but rather I am identifying one
possible reason.

Certainly if the market puts enough pressure on vendors to supply
source, they will bend. They are in business to sell products and
make money. Expect to pay heavily for the priviledge. In any
event, the vendors which best provide what we need will prosper.

Richard Sargent                   Internet: richard@pantor.UUCP
Systems Analyst                   UUCP:     uunet!pantor!richard