Open Source Evolution

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Open Source Evolution

• Nguyen Vu Hung
• Tokyo 2007/06/24

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Outline

• FOSS definition
• FOSS examples
• FOSS processes
• FOSS technologies
• FOSS quality
• FOSS architecture
• FOSS business models
• Further readings

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FOSS Definition

• FOSS Free and Open
• Source Software.
• free software liberty, not price.
• Freedom to
• Run the program.
• Study, adapt. Source code is a must.
• Redistribute/Copy.
• Improve/Release improvements.

Open source is a development method for software
that harnesses the power of distributed peer
review and transparency of process.
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FOSS Examples

• GCC ( GNU C compiler )?
• Linux ( Operating System )?
• Eclipse ( de facto IDE )?
• KDE ( Desktop Environment )?
• Apache/PHP/MySQL
• Firefox ( Web browser )?

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Process

• Global collaboration
• Members all over the world.
• Developers users testers.
• Distributed change management
• Use branches in CVS.
• Share-development.
• Iterative development
• Short dev cycle.
• Unstable releases.
• Decentralized testing.
• Remote quality assurance.

User satisfaction can improve and be driven by
shortening the time interval between releases
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Technology

• Fast exploitation
• Share/try new ideas.
• Community help testing.
• New topics
• Basically anything new.
• Community is important.
• Modeling feedback control system(?)?

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Quality

• Source code availability
• Fast/effective defect-correction cycle
• Fast feedback by users developers testers.
• High security assurance
• White testing
• Code review
• Free testers

Given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow.
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Architecture

• Evolutionary ( hackerish? ) designs
• No design at all.
• Read the code! No doco.
• Modularized components
• Mozilla extensions.
• Linux kernel modules.
• Eclipse plug-ins.

Reduce software complexity. Encourage developers.
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Business Model

• Distribution model
• New services
• Packaging.
• Technical supports.
• Customization.
• Refactoring.

Test tree vs. production tree? ( RH )?
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Further readings

• Modeling feedback control system.
• Social aspects.
• Economical aspects.

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Thank you. Q A
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Ref

• The Free Software Definition http//www.gnu.org/ph
  ilosophy/free-sw.html
• http//opensource.org/
• Christof Ebert, Open Source Drives Innovation
• Nazim H. Madhavji et al, SOFTWARE EVOLUTION AND
  FEEDBACK