Evolving software forges: An experience report from Apache Allura

The open-source phenomenon has reached unimaginable proportions to a point in which it is virtually impossible find large applications that do not rely on as well. However, such may turn into risk if the organizational and socio-technical aspects (e.g., contribution release schemes) behind communities are explicitly supported by forges by-design. In an effort make explicit by-design forges, we conducted empirical software engineering follows: (a) Through online industrial surveying, elicited social relevant communities; (b) through action research, extended widely known support system top-level Apache project Allura; (c) ethnography, studied Allura community, learning from its structure, (d) metrics framework more design principles around communities. This article experience report these results lessons learned obtaining them. We found extensions provided formed basis for community awareness design, providing valuable usable characteristics. Ultimately, however, were deactivated core developers because of performance overheads. Our allow us provide recommendations designing like Github. Architecting forge participatory process requires active engagement, hence remarking need mechanisms enabling it. At same time, conclude governance required avoid failure forge.