Show your php code but protect it from being copied [closed]

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Closed 9 years ago.

I have a php project that i want to sell. The buyer wants his programmer to see the quality of the code first, before it makes the purchase.

I don't want him to be able to copy the code so i have to protect it.

How would you protect your code from being copied? PDF? FTP Flash Viewer browser? Something?

P.S. if it is of any importance, the programer doesn't need to run the code, he just needs to be able to take a look at it.

Answer 1

If you are providing the source code, there isn't much that can be done to stop somebody copying it. Even if you sent it to them as a screen shot, they could merely retype it.

The best thing you can do is give them a small excerpt of your code, that doesn't do much by itself, but demonstrates the quality of your coding ability.

Answer 2

Does he has to see all code? or just some files? In that case you may want to make some pictures. You can convert PDF files to text files so that is not a good option. Flash could be something to.

But I think the best way is to show the code by your self to the programmer

Answer 3

PDF of photos of the code would be a good choice, with many editors you have the option to print to file.

But anyway... if he can read it, he can copy it. I suggest you include on the top of every file a copyright declaration, this will give you certain legal protection.