Welcome to CSC575: Open Source Software Development. This course introduces students to the principles, practices, and culture of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Through readings, discussions, and hands-on project work, students will learn how open source communities collaborate, build software, and sustain projects over time.
Students will explore the history and philosophy of FOSS, including licensing and copyright considerations, version control, and common workflows used in open source projects. The course also emphasizes Humanitarian Free and Open Source Software (HFOSS), helping students understand how open source can be used to address real-world and social-impact challenges.
A major component of the course is a team-based open source project. Students will evaluate existing open source projects, select a project that aligns with their interests and skills, and contribute through activities such as documentation, testing, design, or code contributions. Along the way, students will present their progress and reflect on their learning.
This GitHub repository serves as the central hub for course materials, including the syllabus, assignments, project deliverables, and readings. Students will use GitHub throughout the semester to access materials and submit their work, gaining practical experience with tools commonly used in open source development.
The course web page can be found at: https://krutishah45.github.io/CSC575/
