The Open-Source Movement
By Chris Cheng 程鵬
Many of us have heard of the phrase “open-source” in relation to software, but few of us know what it means and entails. The concept behind it is deceptively simple: generally speaking, the creator of a computer program (code) allows anyone to modify and use it however they want. This practice enables massive, global collaborations in fields including healthcare, education and scientific research.
Before jumping into the real-world implications of open-source software, let’s make sure we understand how it works. Take the Internet browser Mozilla Firefox as an example. While it is partially an open-source software, not just any person can wreak havoc on its source code. The same could be said of many other popular open-source projects such as Linux, the Android operating system, Google Chrome, etc. Typically, open-source software makes use of version control systems, which allow multiple users to all make their respective edits to the same chunk of code – much like a slightly more complicated version of Google Docs. Programmers can make their own copy of the source code, make their edits, and submit a resulting patch back to the source code. This patch is reviewed by the owner(s) of the code, who can choose to incorporate the edits, suggest modifications to the edited code, or reject the change altogether.
In the field of software development alone, the benefits of open-source software are tremendous. Programmers working in parallel fields can collaborate through sharing their code, slashing redundant coding and allowing for quicker production of original code. Programming beginners can also leverage open-source software to more quickly and cost-effectively learn how to meaningfully contribute to projects that have real-world applications.
The socioeconomic impact of open-source software, however, could be even greater. Imagine that there is an open-source software that could selectively identify the presence and developmental stage of a brain tumor from an MRI scan. It could bring enormous impact! The proliferation of such technology would greatly cut medical costs and allow cheaper health care. In countries where governments provide inadequate healthcare coverage, this kind of useful open-source software could help underdeveloped and underfunded hospitals recommend life-saving treatments despite a lack of expertise. An added advantage of the open-source arrangement is the possibility of rapid error detection and code refinement, which improves the performance of the software. Can anyone do it? It is not unimaginable that a high school student, with an Internet connection and a computer, can learn how to code and solve pressing real-world problems.
By applying open-source principles to other fields such as that of data science, more individuals could adopt its convenient practices to augment their work. For example, two pieces of software frequently used in open-source code called Git and git-annex are leveraged by an “open-data” project called DataLad to integrate access to scientific data from various data sharing portals. Therefore, DataLad allows researchers to share their experimental data more openly, enhancing the scope of future projects in the same field.
The obstacles facing data-sharing initiatives vary greatly depending on the domain and the origin of data. For example, neuroimaging data, which is what DataLad is specialized to handle, requires careful redaction of information that may infringe on patients’ privacy. Failure to do so can discourage the participation of neuroscientists. There are also encouraging signs for greater adoption of open data-sharing – DataLad is working to add features to its integrated interface, such as one that would allow users to directly publish their data to data-sharing portals. DataLad’s creators, Yaroslav Halchenko and Michael Hanke, imagine that “both code and data sharing should [ultimately] be a common practice.”
Whether it be in the field of software development, scientific research, or some as-of-yet untapped field, it is clear: the open-source movement has the potential to hugely benefit all members of society, not just scientists.