Understanding Free/Open Source Software Development Processes

TLDR

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 authors review selected empirical studies of F/OSSD processes to provide this overview. The survey uncovers diverse process types and identifies opportunities and challenges, and the special issue advances understanding of processes that characterize and shape F/OSSD. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

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. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.