# /research/software/opensource.htm

originally: http://www.oclc.org/research/software/opensource.htm

# Open software development

OCLC Research uses the Open Source software development model to involve non-OCLC developers in creation of open software for libraries. This leverages talent from the library world for the creation of superior software. Non-OCLC developers may participate in the extension, enhancement, improvement and evolution of its open software.

The CVS version control system is used to manage the software files. It allows multiple users to work on the same file simultaneously without conflict. CVS is able to reconstruct the present as well as all previously committed versions of the files. Each of the four projects has its own CVS repository.

Users may need to have a CVS client on their workstation to access the files controled by CVS. A GUI client and a command-line client for Windows are available from the WinCvs.org web site. Clients for other platforms and a CVS manual are available from the Concurrent Versions System web site.

Users must have a CVS account (ID and password) to contribute to the software development. You may get a CVS account from the contact for the project on which you wish to work. If you only wish to copy the code you may use the read-only anonymous account with id anonymous and password anonymous, to retrieve tar and jar files for any of the projects.

A CVS account allows full access privileges to the project's CVS repository. These privileges will allow you to check out files from the project's CVS repository, modify them, and recommit them to the repository. You can delete files from the repository and commit new files to it. Changing the repository requires supplying descriptive text about the changes being made. The OR staff will determine whether modifications warrant creating a new branch of the project or issuing a new release of the project.

A list server for each project will be established at OCLC to facilitate communication among developers. Tips for using the CVS client also are available on the Using CVS page.

Current projects are listed on the OR Software home page. Project contacts are listed on the individual project pages.