Code Plagiarism: Simple Ways to Avoid It

Plagiarism today is not limited to publishing houses and educational institutions. One of the increasing forms of this practice is source code plagiarism. It is much more serious than academic breach, where a code is reproduced or copied without the written permission of the original producer. In fact, simply converting the code into a different language or altering it also constitute plagiarism. As more students enroll in computer science courses, the prevalence of this act is rapidly increasing.

Here are a few simple ways to ensure that your programming assignment is free of duplicate content and receives worthy recognition.

Use an Anti-Plagiarism Tool

A code plagiarism checker is an effective tool, powered by AI and machine learning technology. It is fast, automated and accurate, and can detect any plagiarized code in just a few seconds. Equipped with multi-layered search capabilities, it can wade through billions of online sources to detect any identical content from the web. All you have to do is integrate your system with the open source API that can work seamlessly with the ready-to-use code.

Learn the Rules to Code
The education system in the US allows students to use code when they are learning the steps of programming. But, you will have to understand the guidelines well, so that you don’t end up getting accused for plagiarism. Be mindful when you use other people’s work, since there is a fine line between lawful usage and theft.

Take Professional Help

If you are coding for the first time, consider consulting your professor or seniors. It will be easy to carry out your project with accurate guidance. They will help you avoid plagiarism, while producing top-quality work. In fact, when you learn to code on your own, the foundation of the subject becomes stronger. This proves to be extremely beneficial in the long run.

Include Acknowledgements

One of the best ways to save yourself from allegations of theft is to add the references at the end of the paper. This way, the supervisor will know that it is not an original work and you have used a few codes from external sources. This is an honest way to let the concerned person know beforehand, which is allowed in the coding world.

Be Creative

There is no better way to avoid plagiarism altogether than using original code. Explore the internet, get an idea and come up with genuine and unique codes. This way, you do not even have to worry about references or getting caught in any unethical act.

Know the Limitations

Students are permitted to pick up codes from open source projects or any approved source to use in their academic work. Make sure you are only using the platforms with consent, since an efficient code plagiarism checker can detect the sources quite easily.

Avoiding plagiarism in coding is not difficult. As a developer, separate your original work from borrowed ones, so that it becomes easy to cite the references. Also, do not collaborate with other students without prior permission.

About This Author

Shaheen Shaikh http://www.adrclinic.co.uk Joined: April 29th, 2018