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Oracle bans AI-generated code from OpenJDK

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Re: Oracle bans AI-generated code from OpenJDK

#271

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Who does this metaphor serve? To me it seems to try to legitimize the actions as a force of nature.

It's a twist on the Scorpion and the Frog story. In other words, Larry Ellison is going to do what Larry is going to do, and there's no use wondering why. Usually, that's to make money and sue people, at any expense. It's in his nature. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scorpion_and_the_Frog

Abusers say "that's just how I am" which is my point. Just because it's his nature doesn't mean it is at all natural.

Re: Oracle bans AI-generated code from OpenJDK

#272

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Do not fall into the trap of anthropomorphizing Larry Ellison. You need to think of Larry Ellison the way you think of a lawnmower. You don't anthropomorphize your lawnmower, the lawnmower just mows the lawn - you stick your hand in there and it'll chop it off, the end. You don't think 'oh, the lawnmower hates me' - lawnmower doesn't give a * about you, the lawnmower can't hate you. Don't anthropomorphize the lawnmo…

Who does this metaphor serve? To me it seems to try to legitimize the actions as a force of nature.

Well (to make an analogy), nature produces psychopaths - some people's brains just aren't capable of empathy. Whether you characterize that observation as "legitimizing" or just "being realistic" is merely a philosophical concern.

Re: Oracle bans AI-generated code from OpenJDK

#273

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a twist on the Scorpion and the Frog story. In other words, Larry Ellison is going to do what Larry is going to do, and there's no use wondering why. Usually, that's to make money and sue people, at any expense. It's in his nature. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scorpion_and_the_Frog

That’s an interesting story to bring up in this context, because I have always wondered how a fundamentally customer-hostile business like Oracle could be so successful. It really puts the lie to libertarian cliches about the invisible hand of capitalism that ends up being philanthropic in spite of itself.

[deleted]

Re: Oracle bans AI-generated code from OpenJDK

#274

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Who does this metaphor serve? To me it seems to try to legitimize the actions as a force of nature.

Well (to make an analogy), nature produces psychopaths - some people's brains just aren't capable of empathy. Whether you characterize that observation as "legitimizing" or just "being realistic" is merely a philosophical concern.

Since when are human actions categorized as being a consequence of nature? Does that let me steal or murder without consequence?

Re: Oracle bans AI-generated code from OpenJDK

#277
This is a friendly reminder from a grouchy old fart that

1. You are the engineer of record on all of your commits.

2. As the engineer of record, you have a certain duty of care with regards to code quality.

3. If you are not signing your commits, you are not providing reasonable provenance and instead tossing your name around in a way that anyone can replicate with impunity.

Re: Oracle bans AI-generated code from OpenJDK

#278

How could we know whether incoming code is AI generated or not? are there tools for this?

If they had a policy to ban German speakers from submitting code to OpenJDK, it would have the same effect. None at all, which is maybe the point. It's another tool to categorize submissions/submitters they find problematic.

Re: Oracle bans AI-generated code from OpenJDK

#279
post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Do not fall into the trap of anthropomorphizing Larry Ellison. You need to think of Larry Ellison the way you think of a lawnmower. You don't anthropomorphize your lawnmower, the lawnmower just mows the lawn - you stick your hand in there and it'll chop it off, the end. You don't think 'oh, the lawnmower hates me' - lawnmower doesn't give a * about you, the lawnmower can't hate you. Don't anthropomorphize the lawnmo…

The flaw in the analogy is that oracle is made of people. It's not a lawnmower, it's a group of people with human motivations and human thoughts. It's true they don't HATE people, but it's also true they absolutely have no conscience in negotiations and have zero concern about relationships.

> It's true they don't HATE people, but it's also true they absolutely have no conscience in negotiations and have zero concern about relationships.

Sure. Like a lawnmower.

Re: Oracle bans AI-generated code from OpenJDK

#280

So contributions to OpenJDK have to be hand-written, while internally, Oracle uses AI generated code... I guess the logic is that employees who use AI generated code (theoretically) review their code better? The whole thing still seems a little strange.

No I'm sure they are just paranoid about license rights.

Definitely. Internally, Oracle is very strict about the use of code written outside of Oracle- there is a very strict set of rules and procedures to incorporate open source libraries into their products and services.

As for AI, certain core teams, notably the Database team, are forbidden from using LLM coding tools.

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