A Study on Selection Process of Open Source Software

The development methods which utilize OSSs have been tried as new alternative to solve limits of the previous software developments such as the quality of software, and time and cost of developments. Especially, small and medium companies are suffering from difficulty in applying large-scale development methodology whenever they develop softwares. Therefore, in the current situation that demand for small-scale development methodology is increasing, the methods of utilizing OSSs can become an efficient way to save costs and reduce a development period. Accordingly, analysis of open-source is no fixed procedure or method to utilize open-source for software developments in the field. In this thesis, to solve such problems, we propose the procedures and methods for identifying and selecting suitable open-source, and effective methods for improvement and integration through least modification on the basis of synthesis of existing researches and experiences in development projects. For selection of OSSs, we did identify correct requirements for the software to be developed, investigate the open-source just matching with such requirements, draw a candidate index, establish assessment criteria, and the consequently present a method to select OSSs. And, we deduced the validity and improvement of each detailed activity from practical application to an actual project and assessment.