The core of what I do is solve problems, whether that's in graphic engine flow or rockets. I like working on things that are going to have an impact one way or the other.
John CarmackRead
Sharing the code just seems like The Right Thing to Do. It costs us rather little, but it benefits a lot of people in sometimes very significant ways. There are many university research projects, proof of concept publisher demos, and new platform test beds that have leveraged the code. Free software that people value adds wealth to the world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Sharing code enhances collaboration and innovation while benefiting many without significant cost.
This quote emphasizes the importance of sharing code within the software development community. John Carmack highlights that by making code accessible, developers not only contribute to the growth of various technological projects but also support the broader community, yielding significant benefits. The act of sharing is portrayed as a selfless endeavor that creates wealth and resources for everyone involved, ultimately fostering a spirit of collaboration and progress in technology.
Themes
CodeSharingSoftwareCommunityCollaborationInnovation
In practice
Example use cases
In a tech conference, to illustrate the importance of open-source projects.
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All quotes →The cost of adding a feature isn't just the time it takes to code it. The cost also includes the addition of an obstacle to future expansion. ... The trick is to pick the features that don't fight each other.
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Because of the nature of Moore's law, anything that an extremely clever graphics programmer can do at one point can be replicated by a merely competent programmer some number of years later.
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Programming is not a zero-sum game. Teaching something to a fellow programmer doesn't take it away from you. I'm happy to share what I can, because I'm in it for the love of programming.
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