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COMP8440 Free and Open Source Software Development

Offered By School of Computer Science
Academic Career Graduate Coursework
Course Subject Computer Science
Offered in Autumn Session, 2010 and Autumn Session, 2011
Unit Value 6 units
Course Description This course provides an overview of the historical and modern context and operation of free and open source software (FOSS) communities and associated software projects. The practical objective of the course is to teach students how they can begin to participate in a FOSS project in order to contribute to and improve aspects of the software that they feel are wrong. Students will learn some important FOSS tools and techniques for contributing to projects and how to set up their own FOSS projects.
Learning Outcomes Ability to install and run open-source operating systems. Ability to gather information about Free and Open Source Software projects from software releases and from sites on the internet. Ability to build and modify one or more Free and Open Source Software packages. Ability to use a version control system and to interface with version control systems used by development communities. Ability to contribute software to and interact with Free and Open Source Software development projects.
Indicative Assessment

A short presentation plus one theory assignment and one practical assignment 

Workload

Intensive mode of delivery will comprise 5 full days of: 18 hours of lectures, 18 hours of lecture/labs,  4  hours of tutorials

Course Classification(s) TransitionalTransitional courses are designed for students from a broad range of backgrounds and learning achievements, which provide for the acquisition of generic skills; or an informed understanding of contemporary issues; or fundamental knowledge for transition to Advanced or Specialist courses.
Areas of Interest Computer Science and Information Technology
Assumed Knowledge and
Required Skills
Students will get more out of this course if they are already competent in at least one programming language. It will also help if they have some experience with Linux or Unix-like operating systems.
Requisite Statement Enrolment in the Masters of Computing
Recommended Courses Students will get more out of this course if they are already competent in at least one programming language. It will also help if they have some experience with Linux or Unix-like operating systems.
Prescribed Texts No prescibed text, but recommended reading is available here: http://cs.anu.edu.au/students/comp8440/lectures/course_introduction.pdf
Other Information External, non-award enrolments by students with substantial industry experience will be encouraged with Departmental Consent

The information published on the Study at ANU 2010 website applies to the 2010 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2009 website.

Updated:   13 Nov 2015 / Responsible Officer:   The Registrar / Page Contact:   Student Business Solutions