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Analyzing open-source software systems as complex networks

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  • Zheng, Xiaolong
  • Zeng, Daniel
  • Li, Huiqian
  • Wang, Feiyue

Abstract

Software systems represent one of the most complex man-made artifacts. Understanding the structure of software systems can provide useful insights into software engineering efforts and can potentially help the development of complex system models applicable to other domains. In this paper, we analyze one of the most popular open-source Linux meta packages/distributions called the Gentoo Linux. In our analysis, we model software packages as nodes and dependencies among them as edges. Our empirical results show that the resulting Gentoo network cannot be easily explained by existing complex network models. This in turn motivates our research in developing two new network growth models in which a new node is connected to an old node with the probability that depends not only on the degree but also on the “age” of the old node. Through computational and empirical studies, we demonstrate that our models have better explanatory power than the existing ones. In an effort to further explore the properties of these new models, we also present some related analytical results.

Suggested Citation

  • Zheng, Xiaolong & Zeng, Daniel & Li, Huiqian & Wang, Feiyue, 2008. "Analyzing open-source software systems as complex networks," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 387(24), pages 6190-6200.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:387:y:2008:i:24:p:6190-6200
    DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2008.06.050
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    Cited by:

    1. Li, Hui & Zhao, Hai & Cai, Wei & Xu, Jiu-Qiang & Ai, Jun, 2013. "A modular attachment mechanism for software network evolution," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 392(9), pages 2025-2037.
    2. James Ma & Daniel Zeng & Huimin Zhao, 2012. "Modeling the growth of complex software function dependency networks," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 301-315, April.
    3. Rashid, Mehvish & Clarke, Paul M. & O’Connor, Rory V., 2019. "A systematic examination of knowledge loss in open source software projects," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 104-123.
    4. Xiao, Guanping & Zheng, Zheng & Wang, Haoqin, 2017. "Evolution of Linux operating system network," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 466(C), pages 249-258.
    5. Wang, Haoqin & Chen, Zhen & Xiao, Guanping & Zheng, Zheng, 2016. "Network of networks in Linux operating system," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 447(C), pages 520-526.
    6. Youzhong Wang & Daniel Zeng & Bin Zhu & Xiaolong Zheng & Feiyue Wang, 2014. "Patterns of news dissemination through online news media: A case study in China," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 557-570, September.
    7. Šubelj, Lovro & Bajec, Marko, 2011. "Community structure of complex software systems: Analysis and applications," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 390(16), pages 2968-2975.

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