Evolution of Open Source Software: A Study on the Samba Project

Authors

Mae Lyn Lee, School of Information Technology, University of Sydney, AustraliaFollow
Joseph Davis, School of Information Technology, University of Sydney, AustraliaFollow

Abstract

Open Source Software (OSS) development model has attracted considerable attention in recent years, primarily because it offers a non-proprietary and socially beneficial model of software development backed by a dedicated community of developers and users who share and expand their knowledge and expertise. This research investigates the evolution of open source software using a case study of the Samba project. Through the application of both qualitative and quantitative techniques, Samba's software development and evolution over a seven-year period are tracked and assessed. This assessment and the findings of similar, previously reported studies lead us to propose a general framework for the evolvabiltity and the key drivers of open source software evolution. open-source communities for socially coordinated software development.

Recommended Citation

Lee, Mae Lyn and Davis, Joseph (2003) "Evolution of Open Source Software: A Study on the Samba Project," Systèmes d'Information et Management: Vol. 8: Iss. 1, Article 3.
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/sim/vol8/iss1/3