[johnsjmc]

I suspect the code violation is the fastening of the cable in pic 1 more than just the the boxes. Here the wire needs to be protected from physical damage when run on a surface below a certain height. Attaching it to the edge of a board somehow protects it. Other jurisdictions will require AC ( armoured cable where exposed,or conduit ).Your second pic appears to show a connection in a piece of wire in the upper right corner. All connections must be made in a box and the box must remain accesible (not buried in a wall or ceiling.