An Introduction to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)
Christof Ebert, Vector
Total pages: 36
$29.00
Introduction
Today's companies are moving up to the applications and service level, increasingly relying on reused, externally available components. Free and open source software (FOSS) that fulfills "basic needs" is a natural evolution in that context. With a more mature FOSS business model and value chain, it's increasingly important that software engineers become proficient regarding the advantages and constraints resulting from using specific FOSS components. Open source refers to software that you can freely use, modify, or distribute provided you observe certain restrictions with respect to copyright and protection of its open source status. A major difference from freeware or software in the public domain is that FOSS generally has a copyright. But FOSS is certainly not free software and often requires substantial investment before you can deploy it in the marketplace. Many current engineering processes have evolved from the way open source is developed. This holds for iterative development and agile techniques as well as globally distributed software engineering. This article package provides a practical introduction to the FOSS concepts together with useful guidance for applying FOSS to your own development.
Diomidis Spinellis provides a good introduction to OSS and its impact on software development in "How Is Open Source Affecting Software Development?" He highlights experiences and a few practices from industry. Michel Ruffin and colleagues' introductory article, "Using Open Source Software in Product Development: A Primer" is a classic textbook article that explains how to practically use FOSS in software development; it provides useful tips on what to consider along the software life cycle. In "Open Source Drives Innovation," I provide an overview on various open source components and tools and their comparison with respective proprietary software. The clear message is that FOSS drives innovation—be it as software components or software tools. It thus counteracts fears that with FOSS software development, business models won�t work anymore; rather, they need to change. Dirk Riehle provides a thorough look on motivational aspects and business models behind FOSS in "The Economic Motivation of Open Source Software: Stakeholder Perspectives." And with "Open Source and Professional Advancement," Diomidis Spinellis takes a look at FOSS's professional and learning aspects, underlining the idea that FOSS will help you to professionally advance. The article shows major reasons why it's worth engaging in FOSS projects.
These articles on FOSS provide an introduction to the topic with hands-on experiences in applying FOSS to engineering projects. They'll provide practical and ready-to-use solutions to typical questions you have in introducing and sustaining FOSS in your products.
Keywords: software development, open source software, free software, free and open source software (FOSS), software engineering, profession, system administration
Table of Contents
Guest Editors' Introduction: How Is Open Source Affecting Software Development?
Diomidis Spinellis, Athens University of Economics and Business
Clemens Szyperski, Microsoft Research
Summary: Software products benefit from reusable elements' increased availability but might suffer from tighter coupling and more complex dependencies between reused components. The software development process is gaining from the widespread use of sophisticated open source development platforms and tools.
Using Open Source Software in Product Development: A Primer
Michel Ruffin and Christof Ebert, Alcatel
Summary: There are important legal aspects involved in using open source software in commercial products. Here are answers to common questions on how to handle these issues to mitigate risks.
Open Source Drives Innovation
Christof Ebert, Vector Consulting
Summary:
FOSS changed the way we develop software. Here, the author revisits Software's Open Source column, which covered dedicated FOSS components, tools, or products and reported lessons learned in selecting, implementing, and maintaining them.
The Economic Motivation of Open Source Software: Stakeholder Perspectives
Dirk Riehle, SAP Research
Summary: Open source software has changed the rules of the game, significantly impacting stakeholders' economic behavior in the software ecosystem. Developers strive to be committers, vendors feel pressure to produce open source products, and system integrators anticipate boosting profits.
Open Source and Professional Advancement
Diomidis Spinellis, Athens University of Economics and Business
Summary: Participation in open source projects can make us better programmers by exposing us to maintenance, new technologies, and different application domains, and make us better system administrators by forcing us to tinker with complex system setups.
