Open Source Software vs. Peer Review: A Comparison

Title: Open Source Software vs. Peer Review: A Comparison

Abstract: This study compares the open source software development methodology to the system of peer review in academia. The author's goal is to focus on practices that can be implemented and disseminated, rather than criticize specific firms for producing poor-quality software.

Two Styles of Software Development: The research discusses two famous open-source software programs: TEX and the Linux kernel. TEX, created by Don Knuth, is a typesetting system and MetaFont, which are known for their robustness and lack of known bugs. The Linux kernel, developed by Linus Torvalds, is a widely-used operating system built around the Linux kernel. Although not bug-free, it has a solid presence in the world of computers due to its rigorous testing and widespread use.

Open Source Software vs. Closed Source: The author contrasts open source software development with closed source, proprietary software. They mention that while open source has its benefits, such as free access to code and community involvement, closed source can sometimes suffer from poor design and implementation, as well as vendor irresponsibility.

Implications and Conclusion: The study concludes that the open source development methodology, similar to peer review in academia, encourages collaboration, rigorous testing, and continuous improvement. It suggests that these practices could be adopted in other fields to enhance the quality of products and services. The author emphasizes the importance of open code scrutiny and customer involvement in the development process.

Link to Article: https://arxiv.org/abs/0308040v2 Authors: arXiv ID: 0308040v2