Providing sample code....

**Board Game Geek** · 4 April 2006, 22:59

So, potential employer asks for samples of my code... do I sanitise work that is technically owned by another client, or try to think of a sample project from scratch...? (by monday).

Well, I'm not a code guru, but I get the general gist of what you are saying.

Client : "Well, Sir Christopher Wren, do you have any examples of your work you'd like to show us ?"

SCW : "er....er.....er....well, I knocked up this 3' high brick wall, to show you my credentials...."

SCW was the architect behind St. Paul's Cathedral.

Is the situation above likely ?

**mcquiggd** · 4 April 2006, 23:03

Understood.... the hiring manager is an ex-contractor who started his own software company that was subsequently bought by an Asset Management firm. I dare say he will... 'understand'...

Its just that sometimes people feel 'ok, if he keeps code from his previous clients, how can we trust him with ours...?'

**Board Game Geek** · 4 April 2006, 23:16

'ok, if he keeps code from his previous clients, how can we trust him with ours...?

I can see their point.

What we are talking about here is all about "perception". It's your job to ensure that the perception is perceived positively. That part of the job is called "Spin" and self-promotion.

So plonk him down in a chair, show him the code and say "Obviously, I'm not at liberty to say who this code was for, but as you can see, this is a working, practical example of my work within a real business environment, blah blah blah....."

Don't give him a chance to think about the code or where it came from....sell the code and yourself, and how you can solve all his problems (work, social, sexual, global warming, whatever)

(By sexual I mean helping his wife

)

**mcquiggd** · 4 April 2006, 23:25

So in summary, a search and replace for 'CompanyABC' to 'MyCorp', and include a webcam pic of his wife in action (animated using Flash of course... snigger...) ...?

**Cowboy Bob** · 4 April 2006, 23:32

I have a small SourceForge project of libraries that I've licensed under the Apache license so that:-

1) I can provide sample code if anyone wants to see it
2) I have a set of ready made libraries that I can use within any projects as long as they don't object to the Apache license - which given that I code in Java, they're nearly all using Apache code already.

I win on both counts.

**mcquiggd** · 4 April 2006, 23:36

Mmmm... hadnt thought of that.... I suppose it counts as proof of ownership even if you are letting every contractor and his dog at it

**Cowboy Bob** · 4 April 2006, 23:39

Originally posted by mcquiggd

Mmmm... hadnt thought of that.... I suppose it counts as proof of ownership even if you are letting every contractor and his dog at it

I can prove it was me that checked the code into CVS, it's copyrighted to me in the comments, and the package structure uses my domain name. So yes, I can demonstrate that I wrote it.

**mcquiggd** · 4 April 2006, 23:44

Ive always had the grand idea of setting up a website with a password protected area that allows people I sanction to view the actual code in use...

Sadly, time is tight, and theres always ANOTHER trendy bar or restaurant thats just opened... sigh.

**milanbenes** · 5 April 2006, 06:15

feck's sake lads, does it really matter ?

does this bloke want you to write code, or does he simply
want to get code you developed for previous clients that
he can re-use free of charge

sounds like he is taking the peas to me

either he wants you for your programming talent to
do good work for him, or he wants to rip off what you
have done for other people

bloke sounds like a caaaaaaaaaaaaant

Milan.

Providing sample code....