Computer Chess Club Archives


Search

Terms

Messages

Subject: Re: About releasing engine source code

Author: Will Singleton

Date: 13:25:00 02/15/99

Go up one level in this thread


On February 15, 1999 at 15:39:08, Robert Hyatt wrote:

>On February 15, 1999 at 15:12:19, Will Singleton wrote:
>
>>On February 15, 1999 at 13:10:09, Rémi Coulom wrote:
>>
>>>On February 15, 1999 at 12:00:44, Robert Hyatt wrote:
>>>
>>>>On February 15, 1999 at 04:43:47, Rémi Coulom wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>It is a long time since I have considered releasing the source code of The Crazy
>>>>>Bishop since I think that it would be an excellent opportunity to share ideas
>>>>>with other programmers. However, the recent Bionic scandal and the older Gunda
>>>>>case show that doing so could cause problems. I would like to publish it anyway,
>>>>>since most tournament organizers are now aware of this problem and include
>>>>>necessary rules to avoid double entries. Anyway, if anyone here thinks that I
>>>>>should not publish the source code of TCB, I would like to hear from him(her)
>>>>>before I take this irreversible and possibly harmful decision.
>>>>>
>>>>>Remi
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>You want an opinion?  Don't do it.  Because we have people with the ethics of
>>>>a politician, the morals of a $2.00 prostitute, and the reasoning ability of a
>>>>2 year old, all rolled into one.
>>>>
>>>>I received the 'novag award' for releasing the source of Crafty.  I won't be
>>>>surprised if I receive the 'dumb-ass of the year' award in another year or two,
>>>>for that same reason.  Releasing the source will be a big help to those that are
>>>>starting off.  But since we are plaged with copy-cats, that same source will be
>>>>copied verbatim and then used to smack these same beginners when they play in
>>>>their first tournament.
>>>>
>>>>This isn't a particularly pretty picture, IMHO...
>>>
>>>Thanks for your reply. You are probably the most experienced person in these
>>>matters and your opinion convinced me that I should not release my code. I thank
>>>also the other people who gave their opinion. I think I am going to try to find
>>>other better ways to exchange ideas.
>>>
>>>Remi
>>
>>
>>Remi,
>>
>>I support your decision.  The main thing is to exchange ideas, which can be done
>>through the appropriate journals, as well as here in this forum.
>>
>>Thanks for bringing it up.
>>
>>Will
>
>The sad thing is I know how much source code helped _me_.  I started writing
>my first chess engine in 1968.  by 1972 I had the source for "Coko IV" to look
>at (I just asked) and then later the source to chess 4.6.  Ken released the
>source to an early 'belle' version that several used for various experiments.
>
>And now we realize that, thanks to a few folks, we have to 'dry up this well of
>information' completely.  Which is sad.  _very_ sad.


I agree that it's sad.  When I finally figured out that there was source code
available to look at (via the net), I certainly took advantage of it.  But the
main benefit *for me* is reading the available discussions and journals, and the
source is secondary.

For the serious chess programmer, all he really needs is a starting place, and
we have that in the many, many freeware progs that are available.  You just got
too good, Bob.

Will



This page took 0 seconds to execute

Last modified: Thu, 15 Apr 21 08:11:13 -0700

Current Computer Chess Club Forums at Talkchess. This site by Sean Mintz.