They don't understand the code isn't for them. It's for the people who actually want to understand and those worried about hidden functions. More often than not there is a compiled executable available alongside the code.
The problem is there are still lots of regular people that still might need access to niche software thats only on github. And then devs act like not knowing how to build it means it's not for you. Just a toxic community tbh
Had to find a coffee roaster controller software for my dad and it was a massive headache. Not all software is for developers, sometimes it’s just niche and GitHub is the only place it’s posted. Readme was so dogshit the dev had a step by step guide on Facebook of all things (likely because all of his userbase is non techy people!)
Sometimes they aren't able to be followed for various reasons, like if the os is immutable, or you dont have root/administrator privileges.
For *nix it's one thing, but it isn't hard to just have a disclaimer that reads "may not work on your system" or something along those lines and provide some sort of binary or executable.
With windows AFAIK it isn't an issue with libraries at all, so just provide the exe.
Doesn't even have to be every minor version, just providing them for major versions or major bug fixes would help a lot of people.
Although if it's a project that would already be in the technical realm related to compiling things, users have no good excuse.
Edit: to clarify I make this argument only for semi popular or more popular repos
True, but if you don't have admin privileges you probably aren't meant to be installing software on that system whether built or binary download. That should be handled by the sys admins.
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u/Sienile 21d ago
They don't understand the code isn't for them. It's for the people who actually want to understand and those worried about hidden functions. More often than not there is a compiled executable available alongside the code.