How Much Do Developers Use Each Other’s Code?

Honestly, "borrowing" code is pretty standard in the industry. Good programmers often adapt code from libraries or previous projects. Just ensure you grasp what the code is doing so that when you tweak it, you’re not blindly following. It’s not about memorizing every line; it’s about understanding what you can use to solve your own problems. And yes, using design elements like dark themes from other projects is a completely accepted practice as long as you aren’t misrepresenting it as entirely your own work.

It's important to draw a line between borrowing code and copy-pasting without understanding. When you're first starting out, don't hesitate to use snippets for guidance, especially if you're contributing to an open-source project. Just make sure to customize the code so it reflects your style and thinking. About your portfolio: it's great to include projects where you’ve utilized borrowed code, just be honest about your contributions and how you approached the problems.

Reusing code is practically part of the job! It’s about knowing how to learn from existing solutions and then adapting them to fit your needs. You should definitely understand what you're copying and how it can be improved for your projects. It's also smart to document where the code came from, so if questions arise, you can provide context.

When it comes to using others' code, I think of it as borrowing rather than stealing. Many developers are very open about sharing their work. If you're just starting out, it's totally fine to reference existing code as long as you understand how it works. Just remember to credit others when using significant portions of code. Your portfolio should definitely highlight your own solutions, but incorporating well-known snippets or libraries is common and expected.