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Debugging in OSS Always Faster

Posted by michael on from the bugging-also-always-faster dept.

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."

3 of 297 comments (clear)

  1. In other news ... by The+Clockwork+Troll · · Score: 5, Funny

    Studies reveal that debugging is easier when you do not strip symbols from binaries!

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  2. Re:Who's surprised? by SweetAndSourJesus · · Score: 5, Funny

    What do you want, Windows nightlies?

    The very concept fills me with dread.

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  3. Easy explanation by meta-monkey · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

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