Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uunet!aplcen!samsung!usc!ucsd!ucbvax!hplabs!hp-pcd!hpcvlx!bturner
From: bturner@hpcvlx.cv.hp.com (Bill Turner)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.c++
Subject: Re: Do class libraries have to be in source form (3 of 4)
Message-ID: <102090001@hpcvlx.cv.hp.com>
Date: 27 Nov 89 18:16:32 GMT
References: <178@taumet.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Corvallis, OR, USA
Lines: 19

><2.  We can't maintain our code if the user can modify it.
>	Programmers are well aware that if they modify it, they're on their
>	own.

I have been involved with a program (internal use) for which I distributed
source.  I don't agree with your assertion.  I got so many calls back asking
to have something fixed that was in the added or modified code...

Also, there is the problem of multiple indirection.  Yes, maybe the people
you gave the code to understand that "they touch, they own," but have they
given the code on to others who now don't realize that things have been
modified from the original author?

(BTW, I do think that having source is useful, and I try to give out source
when I give out the binaries, but I cringe about the support headaches.  I
just can't say "Tough!" when the bug reports come in...)

--Bill Turner (bturner@hp-pcd.hp.com)
HP Corvallis Information Systems