Key-developers characterization in open source software projects

• Grant number: 12/21179-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: July 15, 2013
• End date: July 14, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computing Methodologies and Techniques
• Principal Investigator: Marco Aurélio Gerosa
• Grantee: Marco Aurélio Gerosa
• Host Investigator: David Francis Redmiles
• Host Institution: Instituto de Matemática e Estatística (IME). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine), United States

Abstract

Software architecture and coordination efforts are intrinsically connected. Making changes to components that a large number of other components rely on is usually difficult due to the importance of these components and the complexity of the involved developers' coordination. A distinct group of developers effectively help evolving the technical core of software projects. In this project, we aim to identify and characterize key developers in terms of their volume of contribution and social participation. We expect that this characterization enables further exploration over contribution patterns and the establishment of profiles of FLOSS key developers. (AU)