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Debugging in OSS Always Faster
dex@ruunat writes "Damien Challet and Yann Le Du of the University of Oxford studied a model of software bug dynamics, which resulted in a paper on cond-mat this morning. In this paper they study the difference in evolution of number of bugs in open and closed source projects. They conclude: 'When the program is written from scratch, the first phase of development is characterized by a fast decline of the number of bugs, followed by a slow phase where most bugs have been fixed, hence, are hard to find'. Another, perhaps surprising conclusion is that debugging in open source projects is always faster than in closed source projects."
Studies reveal that debugging is easier when you do not strip symbols from binaries!
There are no karma whores, only moderation johns
Ah yes, because we all know that Windows is, in fact, the only closed software in existence.
Forget the whales - save the babies.
What do you want, Windows nightlies?
The very concept fills me with dread.
--
the strongest word is still the word "free"
Well, I think the explanation for this is pretty obvious.
If you've got open sores, you're going to want to get bugs off of them as quickly as possible. You're also going to notice sooner because it's still bleeding. If you've got closed sores, you might not notice flies buzzing around them near so quickly.
We don't have a state-run media we have a media-run state.
A spokesperson at Microsoft refuted the conclusions of two french researchers from Oxford University this afternoon, saying that the business model behind Open Source was flawed anyway, since fewer bugs meant less urgency in updating to newer versions of software where old annoying bugs had been eliminated (only to be replaced with fresh one in anticipation of the subsequent forced release). The spokesperson also mentioned the enormous success of Microsoft's recent Closed Source initiative, under Bill Gates's supervision, to make computing more stable and secure, and finished by indicating that the UK government, who is being turned by Microsoft into a strong Open Source opponent (see recent Slashdot story), belonged to them anyway, and that the "frogs" would be deported to France shortly.
You have angered the /. gods now.
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The one rule in the software engineering is that there are no rules.
YOU FOOL! Your paradox has just ripped a hole in the space time continum! Now the planets will collapse upon themselves, destroying the entire universe. We will all enter a parrallel dimension the size of a pin tac. it will be very cold. jerk
YOU SUCK BALLS!
The one rule in the software engineering is that there are no rules.
I thought the first rule in software engineering was "you don't talk about software engineering."
Do not read this sig.
Another, perhaps surprising conclusion is that debugging in open source projects is always faster than in closed source projects."
:)
Thats because in closed source projects you have to dis-assemble the binary first!
That explains why I debug so fast! I have many eyes. At last count I had 27! (Some of them are in the back of my head though, which means they can only debug things behind me).
graspee
You can't just half-ass write something that works most of the time when your name is all over it
:
Well, looking at most OSS projects, you can do that as long as
1) No-one else has done it yet.
2) You mention in the source that this is a "half-ass hack that I threw together to make something work"
You are in a twisty maze of processor lines, all alike.
There is a lot of hype here.
YOU FAIL TO FAIL IT!
That explains why I debug so fast! I have many eyes. At last count I had 27! (Some of them are in the back of my head though, which means they can only debug things behind me).
Well, as they say, hindsight is 20/20.
Your courageous and selfless spelling corrections have made me a better person.