Code forking refers to using the source code of an existing project to create a new software based on the original code. The process of code forking is often associated with negative sentiment, but in reality, it has triggered innovation and better software quality through natural selection.
Why is Code Forking Viewed in a Negative Light?
Traditionally, the term fork was used when a developer community split into competing teams developing incompatible versions of a software. This resulted in concerns about impeded progress, wasted resources, and the possible demise of one or both projects. However, the “open source” nature of free software means that any user or development team has the right to use or modify the source code as they see fit.
How Code Forking Affects the Governance and Sustainability of Open Source Initiatives?
Code forking affects the governance and sustainability of open source initiatives at three different levels: Software, Community, and Ecosystem. At the software level, the right to fork makes planned obsolescence, versioning, vendor lock-in, end-of-support issues, and similar initiatives nearly impossible to implement. At the community level, forking impacts both sustainability and governance by giving the community the ability to protect itself against unfavorable actions by companies or project leaders. For enterprises, forking can serve as a catalyst for innovation, while promoting better software quality through natural selection. Forking helps keep open source initiatives relevant and provides opportunities for the development and commercialization of current and abandoned programs.
What Happens during Code Forking?
Code forking occurs when developers disagree over different goals or personal conflicts. In a fork, both parties assume a nearly identical code base, but usually only the larger group or the one controlling the site retains the full original name, and associated user community. In case of a friendly fork or soft fork, both parties don’t compete with each other, but eventually want to merge.
Examples of Successful Code Forking in the Industry:
Many successful forks have surpassed the original software in popularity, such as Mozilla’s Firefox and Debian’s Ubuntu.
FAQs:
- What is code forking?
- Is Code Forking Beneficial?
- What Happens during Code Forking?
Code forking refers to using the source code of an existing project to create new software based on the original code.
Forking has triggered innovation and better software quality through natural selection. It has helped keep open-source initiatives relevant and provides opportunities for the development and commercialization of current and abandoned programs.
Code forking occurs when developers disagree over different goals or personal conflicts. In a fork, both parties assume a nearly identical code base, but usually only the larger group or the one controlling the site retains the full original name, and associated user community. In case of a friendly fork or soft fork, both parties don’t compete with each other, but eventually want to merge.
Overall, code forking may not be as negative as initially perceived. It has triggered innovation and better software quality through natural selection and helped keep open-source initiatives relevant.
