LINUX FOUNDATION RESEARCH

We’re investigating the impact of open source collaboration to solve the world’s most pressing challenges.

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About LF Research

LF Research publishes actionable and decision-useful insights into open source software, hardware, standards, and data based on empirical research methodologies. Through leveraging community networks, project databases, surveys, and qualitative findings, and through its commitment to best practices in primary research, Linux Foundation Research is the definitive home for data-driven insights into open source for the benefit of governments, enterprises, and society at large.

Featured Research: Open Source For Sustainability

Linux Foundation Research set out to understand how the open source community has advanced the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), conducting a comprehensive study of the LF’s diverse portfolio of projects.

 

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Interested in conducting research?

Review our prospectus for more information, and email us at research@linuxfoundation.org

 

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Maintainer Perspectives on Open Source Software Security

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The security of open source software is so often a primary concern in this community, and maintainers play a crucial role in this endeavour by securing the health and sustainability of open source software. As we look to build out tooling and practices that increase software security, how do we make sure that these tools empower maintainers, and not add additional burden?
 
This research tackles this question, surveying the practices, challenges, and expectations of maintainers across the open source community. This study used data collected from interviews with subject matter experts as well as from a 2022 study on the state of open source supply chain security, focusing on data collected from maintainers and core contributors. We found that there is room for greater automation, better documentation, employer incentives, and defined best practices to better support maintainers and avoid burnout.
 
Read more from the perspective of maintainers in the full report!
 
Authors
  • Stephen Hendrick, The Linux Foundation
  • Ashwin Ramaswami, The Linux Foundation
  • Foreword by Stephen Augustus, Cisco

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