Proposal / Submission Type
Peer Reviewed Paper
Location
St. Paul, Minnesota
Start Date
20-5-2010 11:00 AM
Abstract
There are several different methods of comparing source code from different programs to find copying1 . Perhaps the most common method is comparing source code statements, comments, strings, identifiers, and instruction sequences. However, there are anecdotes about the use of whitespace patterns in code. These virtually invisible patterns of spaces and tabs have been used in litigation to imply copying, but no formal study has been performed that shows that these patterns can actually identify copied code. This paper presents a detailed study of whitespace patterns and the uniqueness of these patterns in different programs.
Keywords: Copyright Infringement, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Open Source, Plagiarism, Source Code, Source Code Similarity, Whitespace.
Scholarly Commons Citation
Shay, Ilana; Baer, Nikolaus; and Zeidman, Robert, "Measuring Whitespace Patterns as an Indication of Plagiarism" (2010). Annual ADFSL Conference on Digital Forensics, Security and Law. 10.
https://commons.erau.edu/adfsl/2010/thursday/10
Included in
Computer Engineering Commons, Computer Law Commons, Electrical and Computer Engineering Commons, Forensic Science and Technology Commons, Information Security Commons
Measuring Whitespace Patterns as an Indication of Plagiarism
St. Paul, Minnesota
There are several different methods of comparing source code from different programs to find copying1 . Perhaps the most common method is comparing source code statements, comments, strings, identifiers, and instruction sequences. However, there are anecdotes about the use of whitespace patterns in code. These virtually invisible patterns of spaces and tabs have been used in litigation to imply copying, but no formal study has been performed that shows that these patterns can actually identify copied code. This paper presents a detailed study of whitespace patterns and the uniqueness of these patterns in different programs.
Keywords: Copyright Infringement, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Open Source, Plagiarism, Source Code, Source Code Similarity, Whitespace.
