viewing code

[ivyholly]

Hi peeps,

More novice questions, but here goes.

I`ve started dabbling with CSS a tad (just text and backgrounds, and reading lots of stuff), and am running around in circles, wondering where to start. I`ve read that you can view website code by using view source code. I thought maybe I could find sites I like and view the code, you know, just to see how things get done. Is this frowned upon? Is it standard practice, or bad netiquette. Just thought I should ask before I even try it.

If this is done, aren`t there people who just `steal` other`s code ideas and such? How does this work from an ethical angle?

Please explain...

[Tim356]

It's done all the time - as in look at other people's code and see how they do things - for ideas. As far as stealing their code, well of course that's frowned upon, and really, where's the satisfaction in building a website using other people's code?

But also, if you're using server side languages (such as php or asp) then sure, people can still steal your layouts, but they'll never really know how your site works.

But as far as learning goes, I don't think too many people would have a problem with you looking at their code to see how they've done things. I know I wouldn't.

[ivyholly]

Thanks a lot Tim,

Firstly, just to clarify, I had/have no intention of stealing code; I probably couldn`t figure out how/what to do with it even if I wanted to. I`m just trying to wrap my head around how this stuff works, especially layout-wise. Like fluid vs static columns, absolute positioning, div vs span and so on. I thought looking at examples (other than those on tutorial sites etc.- seen `em) might help me. You know, real websites. Does that make sense?

Anyway, now that I have the green light, I`m off to look at code! Lalala... (Just hope I can make some sense of it all.)

[Tim356]

No worries, have fun!

And just to clarify too - I never meant to imply you were planning/already had stolen code.

[ivyholly]

Thanks, Tim!

[benbacardi]

it's great to see community in action

[Tim356]

Yes, but I just read Rob's explaination of brownie points in the other thread and realised that my explaination was kinda lacking a bit. I learnt something too...

ps...vote for me...

[ivyholly]

Heeey...