Abstract
Code cloning has been reported both on small (code fragments) and large (entire projects) scale. Cloning-in-the-large, or forking, is gaining ground as a reuse mechanism thanks to
availability of better tools for maintaining forked project variants, hereunder distributed version control systems and interactive source management platforms such as Github.
We study advantages and disadvantages of forking using the case of Marlin, an open source firmware for 3D printers. We find that many problems and advantages of cloning do translate to forking. Interestingly, the Marlin community uses both forking and integrated variability management (conditional ompilation)
to create variants and features. Thus studying it increases our understanding of the choice between integrated and clone-based
variant management. It also allows us to observe mechanisms governing source code maturation, in particular when, why and
how feature implementations are migrated from forks to the main integrated platform. We believe that this understanding will ultimately
help development of tools mixing clone-based and integrated variant management, combining the advantages of both.
availability of better tools for maintaining forked project variants, hereunder distributed version control systems and interactive source management platforms such as Github.
We study advantages and disadvantages of forking using the case of Marlin, an open source firmware for 3D printers. We find that many problems and advantages of cloning do translate to forking. Interestingly, the Marlin community uses both forking and integrated variability management (conditional ompilation)
to create variants and features. Thus studying it increases our understanding of the choice between integrated and clone-based
variant management. It also allows us to observe mechanisms governing source code maturation, in particular when, why and
how feature implementations are migrated from forks to the main integrated platform. We believe that this understanding will ultimately
help development of tools mixing clone-based and integrated variant management, combining the advantages of both.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 2015 IEEE International Conference on Software Maintenance and Evolution : ICSME |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Publisher | IEEE |
| Publication date | 25 Nov 2015 |
| Pages | 151 - 160 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-1-4673-7532-0 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 25 Nov 2015 |
| Event | 31st International Conference on Software Maintenance and Evolution - Bremen University, Bremen, Germany Duration: 29 Sept 2015 → 1 Oct 2015 Conference number: 31 http://www.icsme.uni-bremen.de/ |
Conference
| Conference | 31st International Conference on Software Maintenance and Evolution |
|---|---|
| Number | 31 |
| Location | Bremen University |
| Country/Territory | Germany |
| City | Bremen |
| Period | 29/09/2015 → 01/10/2015 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- variant
- clone
- open source
- firmware
- forked
- integrated variability