Self-organization process in open-source software: An empirical study

TitleSelf-organization process in open-source software: An empirical study
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsYu, L
Secondary TitleInformation and Software Technology
Volume50
Issue5
Pagination361 - 374
Date Published4/2008
ISSN Number09505849
KeywordsEmpirical study;, evolution, linux, requirements, Self-organization, software evolution
Abstract

Software systems must continually evolve to adapt to new functional requirements or quality requirements to remain competitive in the marketplace. However, different software systems follow different strategies to evolve, affecting both the release plan and the quality of these systems. In this paper, software evolution is considered as a self-organization process and the difference between closed-source software and open-source software is discussed in terms of self-organization. In particular, an empirical study of the evolution of Linux from version 2.4.0 to version 2.6.13 is reported. The study shows how open-source software systems self-organize to adapt to functional requirements and quality requirements.

URLhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950584907000225
DOI10.1016/j.infsof.2007.02.018
Short TitleInformation and Software Technology
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