One very similarly finance-oriented comparison that I like to make is that every line code is a liability, in the financial sense of that word[1]: that's what's on the right side of your balance sheet, which enables your assets: that is your product.
Like there are many ways to finance your business, there are many ways to make the same product, from coding it from scratch yourself (which ranges from “from quick and dirty” to “using formal methods”) to customizing a open-source foundation, or even a third party's white-label product. Which one is better completely depends on the situation (like with equity vs debt).
[1]:in finance, “liability” isn't “bad”, debt is a liability, but so is equity, and even profit is a liability!
Like there are many ways to finance your business, there are many ways to make the same product, from coding it from scratch yourself (which ranges from “from quick and dirty” to “using formal methods”) to customizing a open-source foundation, or even a third party's white-label product. Which one is better completely depends on the situation (like with equity vs debt).
[1]:in finance, “liability” isn't “bad”, debt is a liability, but so is equity, and even profit is a liability!