Assessor Resource

ICAPRG401A
Maintain open-source code programs

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to individuals working in software and system development and maintenance. They may work as open-source software developers who are required to build, test and distribute open-source software applications, or programmers responsible for integrating open-source components, tools or technologies into their applications.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to contribute as a member of an open-source software project community and to maintain open-source code. The open-source development model differs considerably from the traditional commercial model.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

provide significant contribution to an open-source project in the form of:

program source code changes and/or additions

documentation changes or additions

online participation in the project direction

local proof of building of snapshots, code modifications and testing.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

software development environment

internet

technical requirements

databases

information repositories

programming languages

group-facilitation software

appropriate learning and assessment support when required

modified equipment for people with special needs.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of open-source practices, open-source software and open-source issues such as distribution, compatibility and security

evaluation of candidate’s:

participation

application code, test and documentation.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support.

In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

analytical skills to:

apply some of the latest information technology tools and techniques

evaluate and compare a range of open-source tools and components to use in software development and maintenance

communication skills to:

discuss issues with global peers

participate effectively in discussions on a number of information technology issues

participate in volatile communities of interest

initiative and enterprise skills to:

apply information technology knowledge and skills in a multidisciplinary environment

participate in open-source projects

literacy skills to:

read and interpret complex technical and non-technical information from a range of sources

write a clearly structured document or update existing documentation

problem-solving skills to choose the best solution for a particular context

research skills to identify and locate possible sources of required information for a target project

technical skills to:

build existing software projects from source

create and maintain code

use basic language syntax and layout, data structures, arrays and standard algorithms

test and debug code at a high level.

Required knowledge

detailed knowledge of:

debugging and testing techniques

documentation techniques, including internal documentation, user guides and technical documentation

open-source development methodology

overview knowledge of online project communities.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Software may include:

commercial software applications

customised software

in-house software

organisation-specific software

packaged software.

Online resources may include:

community sites

CVS trees

FTP sites

gopher sites

news groups

online communities

websites.

Documentation may follow:

audit trails

International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and Australian Standards (AS) standards

naming standards

project management templates

report writing principles

version control.

Online community may include:

local communities

online virtual communities of interest

organisational communities

main tools for online communities:

mailing lists

newsgroups

web conferencing.

Licensing models may include:

Apache licences

Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD)

General Public License (GPL)

Lesser General Public License (LGPL)

Mozilla.

Software-development tools may include:

computer language

development methodology

development tools

operating systems

target environments

version control systems.

Socially acceptable should be:

designed and sent with regard to recipient's:

culture

ethnicity

location

race

social sensitivities.

Online project may include:

commercial hosting facility hosting community code

CVS site

FTP site

other type of group repository

private website.

Community-participation standards may include:

informal or formal rules and regulations used by groups to manage their online projects

procedures or guidelines

verbal or written policies.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Examine the open-source paradigm and demonstrate an understanding of the differences from the traditional software development models 
Investigate and demonstrate understanding of the types of online resources 
Investigate and demonstrate understanding of the types of project documentation 
Recognise and demonstrate understanding of the role of an online community and international collaboration 
Examine and demonstrate understanding of motivational factors for contributors to open-source code 
Analyse and demonstrate understanding of open-source licensing models 
Examine online resources associated with the target project 
Download pre-built executable binaries to install and run project 
Download, read and demonstrate understanding of supporting documentation 
Select and register with a relevant online community open-source group 
Download nightly snapshots of latest source code and supporting documentation 
Build and execute snapshot where appropriate 
Access the project bug database and select bugs to be resolved or features to be added 
Make changes to local copy of code to resolve selected bugs 
Test resulting code to ensure it performs appropriately 
Prepare code patch for submission 
Submit code patch to project 
Use appropriate software-development tools and environment 
Access project documentation 
Prepare and contribute new information or updates to existing documentation 
Prepare and submit documentation changes to project 
Exchange messages with other project members and actively participate in community activities 
Take action to ensure exchanges are socially acceptable 
Submit code and documentation code patches for inclusion 
Access online project resources frequently to keep up-to-date with project and community developments 
Take action to ensure community-participation standards are observed and maintained 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICAPRG401A - Maintain open-source code programs
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

ICAPRG401A - Maintain open-source code programs

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: