Final Thesis: Systematic Literature Review: Challenges of Open-Source Software Distributions
Abstract: Open-source software (OSS) is one of the most debated phenomena in the software industry today, both theoretically and empirically. OSS allows users to modify, copy, distribute, and improve the software for any given purpose. It is a method of sharing software through source code and open-source licenses. It requires a high level of responsibility, and good configuration management practices are essential. An OSS can have multiple distributions, for example, a copy of an OS project, designed and maintained independently from the main project and other distributions. The OSS ecosystem is very critical for many technology companies today. Although the OS industry has progressed, most open-source distributions still face challenges, such as technical problems, development, security, license, and performance. The fundamental purpose of this literature review is to understand the challenges of OS distributions. The aim is to identify the critical features in an OS project, the motive for adopting the strategies used, and the challenges users face. This paper attempts to determine how organizations adapt and implement open-source distributions, focusing on configuration management and other engineering challenges. To overcome these challenges, it is necessary to understand the software components’ involved. Research on OS distributions and their challenges will show how practitioners and researchers are familiar with the open-source ecosystem and once it is clear how it works, organizations can learn from best practices and apply them to internal projects. Finally, we examine the current state of the OS distributions and their process through a systematic literature review that outlines OS distributions and their performance in recent years.
Keywords: Configuration Management, Open-Source Software, Open-Source Distribution, OSS, Robotic Operating System, Systematic Literature Review
PDF: Master Thesis
Reference: Abdul Waseh Khawaja. Systematic Literature Review: Challenges of Open-Source Software Distributions. Master Thesis. Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg: 2021.