"I conceive that the great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by false estimates they have made of the value of things." -- Benjamin Franklin
There are two main "theories of value":
(a) Labor theory of value -- the classical theory that the value of any good derives from the value of the labor used to produce it. Karl Marx and many socialists and communists adhere to this theory. (b) Subjective theory of value -- something is worth whatever people are willing to pay for it. Austrian economists and many capitalists adhere to this theory. Value (like beauty) is in the eye of the beholder.
When you buy something with the purpose of making money, it's because you expect or hope its price will increase. (When you sell something short with the purpose of making money, it's because you expect or hope its price will decrease.) Prices often depend on how large numbers of people (the market) value things. Some price changes reflect changes in valuation by large numbers of people (the market).
Supply and demand affects prices. Droughts can result in rising prices of certain commodities. Competition often results in lower prices as in the computer industry. Monopoly-like economic power can result in increased prices.
The value of a money-making program to me is based on how much money I make with it.
