Rant: Copying code from forums for class feels like cheating to me

Stella Scott · 2026-02-28T03:36:15.637226+00:00

You're not learning if you just paste answers.

My roommate spent three hours last night copying Python scripts from Stack Overflow for her homework. It reminds me of how we skip learning in so many areas now. Like using GPS all the time instead of actually learning how to get around, or following a recipe step-by-step without getting why the stuff works together. I mean, you get the task done, but you don't really build any skills. Idk, maybe it's just me, but that seems to be the trend everywhere, not just in coding classes.

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casey_palmer7mo ago

But is copying some code for a homework assignment really that big of a deal? People look up how to fix a sink or follow a recipe exactly all the time... they still learn by doing the thing. Sometimes you just need to get the thing working to see how it all fits together, you know? It feels like making a mountain out of a molehill.

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the_karen7mo ago

Stack Overflow answers usually explain the logic behind the code. So copying isn't just pasting, it's learning from examples.

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