Doesn't fair use protect ability to quote? Eg. Making a presentation about what is popular in movies. So long as you do not use more than a certain amount of a VHS copy, you are allowed to use a clip in anything you do so long as you are not distributing a large portion to many others without permission.
As far as coding, the style and elegance of code is the measure. There are any number of ways to create the same program. The same with fine art. There are any number of ways to create a statue of a man on a horse, but a better artist will create a better article. Same with movies. The same movie can be created with different actors and similar scripts, but the ability of those involved in its production and creation determine how good the movie will be.
Coding has communities built around it (esp. open source and free software, who are doing it gratis and only for the love of code) who write and compare code. That looks to me like competition to create the most elegant, fast code.
Another point, a program has to have a user interface. If you have ever worked with interface design or know someone who has, you know that it takes a lot of artistic ability to create a gui that is easily usable and fun to look at. Look at the differences between kde and gnome desktops, at the style of the art and window drawing. If you say that coding isn't an art form, you are saying that one program is the same as the next. However, different programs that have the same function look different and function differently.
Oh well, that's my feelings on it. Hope it helps if anyone reads it.
Evil Jeff
Slashdot Mirror
Doesn't fair use protect ability to quote? Eg. Making a presentation about what is popular in movies. So long as you do not use more than a certain amount of a VHS copy, you are allowed to use a clip in anything you do so long as you are not distributing a large portion to many others without permission. As far as coding, the style and elegance of code is the measure. There are any number of ways to create the same program. The same with fine art. There are any number of ways to create a statue of a man on a horse, but a better artist will create a better article. Same with movies. The same movie can be created with different actors and similar scripts, but the ability of those involved in its production and creation determine how good the movie will be. Coding has communities built around it (esp. open source and free software, who are doing it gratis and only for the love of code) who write and compare code. That looks to me like competition to create the most elegant, fast code. Another point, a program has to have a user interface. If you have ever worked with interface design or know someone who has, you know that it takes a lot of artistic ability to create a gui that is easily usable and fun to look at. Look at the differences between kde and gnome desktops, at the style of the art and window drawing. If you say that coding isn't an art form, you are saying that one program is the same as the next. However, different programs that have the same function look different and function differently. Oh well, that's my feelings on it. Hope it helps if anyone reads it. Evil Jeff