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Open-source Software: An Epistemology


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1 Department of Software Engineering, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria
     

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Open-source software is a software liberally licensed to grant users the right to use, copy, study, change, and improve its design through availability of its source code. This paper aimed to broaden on epistemology of open-source software by looking at critical areas such as its usage and contribution to projects. The process makes use of surveys and focus groups to collect data by efficiently looking at the quantitative and qualitative views of data. There is clearest gain to both the end users and organisations from the fact that in a lot of cases, software products that are distributed under the open-source banner are free to use and open, and although sometimes with some restrictions or limitations. Results shows that there is consciousness on open-source software, its usage and contribution but there can be more if students are being taught to use open-source products in school as well as their workplace.

Keywords

Open-Source Software (OSS), Epistemology, Open-Source Contribution, Open-Source Usage
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  • Open-source Software: An Epistemology

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Authors

J. V. Joshua
Department of Software Engineering, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria
O. O. Adetunji
Department of Software Engineering, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria
N. O. Oro
Department of Software Engineering, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria
J. O. Okoji
Department of Software Engineering, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria
J. A. Olaobaj
Department of Software Engineering, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria

Abstract


Open-source software is a software liberally licensed to grant users the right to use, copy, study, change, and improve its design through availability of its source code. This paper aimed to broaden on epistemology of open-source software by looking at critical areas such as its usage and contribution to projects. The process makes use of surveys and focus groups to collect data by efficiently looking at the quantitative and qualitative views of data. There is clearest gain to both the end users and organisations from the fact that in a lot of cases, software products that are distributed under the open-source banner are free to use and open, and although sometimes with some restrictions or limitations. Results shows that there is consciousness on open-source software, its usage and contribution but there can be more if students are being taught to use open-source products in school as well as their workplace.

Keywords


Open-Source Software (OSS), Epistemology, Open-Source Contribution, Open-Source Usage

References