Understanding free/open source software development processes

Walt Scacchi, Joseph Feller, Brian Fitzgerald, Scott Hissam, Karim Lakhani

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article introduces a special issue of Software Process - Improvement and Practice focusing on processes found in free or open source software development (F/OSSD) projects. It seeks to provide a background overview of research in this area through a review of selected empirical studies of F/OSSD processes. The results and findings from a survey of empirical studies of F/OSSD give rise to an interesting variety of opportunities and challenges for understanding these processes, which are identified along the way. Overall, what becomes clear is that studies of F/OSSD processes reveal a more diverse set of different types of processes than have typically been examined in conventional software development projects. The articles in this special issue further advance understanding of what processes characterize and shape F/OSSD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)95-105
Number of pages11
JournalSoftware Process Improvement and Practice
Volume11
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2006

Keywords

  • Free software development
  • Free/open source software processes
  • Open source software development

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