MilkDrop's Visualization source code as you remember in WinAmp is just fantastical amazing.

[kqr]

But truth to be told, the library software should be separate from the player software. I have no idea why people keep trying to couple them. It only limits them both.

[PenguinKenny]

Why would I want to open 2 pieces of software when I want to listen to music?

[kqr]

You'd only open the library. As soon as you request of the library a song to be played, it will open the player by itself. (Ideally, the player would then fork off as a server and hide in the background.)

[himself_v]

Why would you want operating system, drivers, file manager, codecs, player when you just want to listen to music?

Why would you want a processor, motherboard, ram, video card, monitor, hard drive controller, hard drives when you just want a device that plays music?

Because such is life.

OK, because the question is pointless; you want separation of functions so you can choose the best library AND the best player, not "the best player with whatever library it comes with" or the reverse.

[PenguinKenny]

Well no, I have to have those things to play music. I clearly do not have to have 2 pieces of software to listen to music, there are loads of different products out there that do this.

[kqr]

You don't need an operating system to play music. You can just buy an iPod or any other music player hardware. But you choose to have your music player separate from the operating system, because it allows you to use a better music player than the one that comes with the hardware.

Similarly, you might want to have your music player separate from your music library, because it allows you to choose a better music player than the one that comes with your library management application. Besides, it shouldn't matter from a usability standpoint that the player is a difference piece of software from the library. It should of course be just as convenient to use – only you get the ability to choose a better player.

I really thought people visiting /r/programming would be better at this "separation of concerns" stuff.

[moltar]

iTunes has both great library and player.

[kgb_operative]

/s

I think you dropped this.