The relation between programming and plagiarism
People often conceive that plagiarism occurs in the academic world. Over time, plagiarism related to artwork and other media forms such as music and videos have surfaced. There are several rules regarding plagiarism. People are discouraged from taking undue credit for works done by others. Still, plagiarism has become a portent and troubling affair that is not just limited to the academic world.
Plagiarism in programming is the unethical copying of codes from an external source without mentioning the source code. Copyright laws can protect the copied code, and in such scenarios, the unethical act of copying becomes a criminal offense.
One cannot use copyright-protected programs without written permission from the copyright owner. Hence, plagiarizing copyrighted program codes leads to a lawsuit that can result in a fine or imprisonment or both.
Why source code plagiarism at all occurs?
Programming languages are used for developing software applications. Programming is in a state of constant development. Hence, there are several instances where previous programming codes are used for developing something new in this arena.
In this field, the plagiarism rules are not well established. It stems from the fact that borrowing in programming is not discouraged. On the other hand, citation rules that apply to written texts like research papers and dissertations are not present for programming codes. Collaborations are allowed for developing new programs.
Therefore, several people can develop program codes, and they are allowed to use external resources. Hence, the aspect of crediting sources and proper collaborators becomes all the more important.
Plagiarism in programming is treated like other forms of plagiarism. Using a program code checker makes it easy to identify external code sources’ misuse in a program. People who unintentionally write or copy codes from other sources can check for plagiarism with a plagiarism detection tool.
This type of tool is akin to anti-plagiarism software that highlights copied content. The plagiarism scanner is suitable for identifying the source codes of the highlighted codes. In this way, the copied codes can be reformatted or removed from the program to avoid plagiarism.
Obtaining clarification on code plagiarism from instructors
Instructors allow young programmers to take help from open source platforms. While taking external aid, it is vital to discuss it with the instructor. Clarification regarding the use of particular sources helps in avoiding plagiarism in codes. When instructors check the programming assignment, they should quickly ascertain the code’s source from the comments.
It is also essential to take the comment portion seriously and ensure that no mistakes are made while commenting on the code. Apart from using specific open sources for doing programming assignments, students and programmers cannot copy codes from any other source.
Additional steps to avoid coding plagiarism
Plagiarism in coding is not entirely new, but there is an absolute lack of rules and regulations in programming that regulate plagiarism. Citation rules and styles are not used in coding. It makes it challenging to differentiate original code from copied code. But in place of citation, there is a comment section.
Programmers can make fair use of the comment portion. A person can comment on the code at each step. Therefore, the programmers should include the source code of external sources in the comments.
The quality of the program depends on the code writing capability of the programmer. It is best to be inventive to avoid plagiarism. Programming is all about novel approaches. Hence, trusting individual creativity is the prime tactic to avoid plagiarism.
Taking diligent notes about the nature of the project and the kind of program required for the task is essential. Any additional comments given by the instructor or client regarding the program requirement must be kept in mind.
Reviewing the drafts of the program before making the final sequence is a good idea. Checking for plagiarism in the draft also helps in removing plagiarism from an early stage. Continuous plagiarism checks ensure that the finished project doesn’t have a significant portion of copied codes.
Duplicate content in programming codes leads to plagiarism charges. The use of copied codes also restricts the innovation in programming. Hence it wise to remain alert about programming plagiarism. It is also sensible to check for plagiarism with a code plagiarism checker.