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.
Not applicable.
1. Investigate open-source paradigm | 1.1 Examine the open-source paradigm and demonstrate an understanding of the differences from the traditional software development models 1.2 Investigate and demonstrate understanding of the types of online resources 1.3 Investigate and demonstrate understanding of the types of project documentation 1.4 Recognise and demonstrate understanding of the role of an online community and international collaboration 1.5 Examine and demonstrate understanding of motivational factors for contributors to open-source code 1.6 Analyse and demonstrate understanding of open-source licensing models |
2. Familiarise with target project | 2.1 Examine online resources associated with the target project 2.2 Download pre-built executable binaries to install and run project 2.3 Download, read and demonstrate understanding of supporting documentation |
3. Prepare for maintenance activities | 3.1 Select and register with a relevant online community open-source group 3.2 Download nightly snapshots of latest source code and supporting documentation 3.3 Build and execute snapshot where appropriate |
4. Maintain code | 4.1 Access the project bug database and select bugs to be resolved or features to be added 4.2 Make changes to local copy of code to resolve selected bugs 4.3 Test resulting code to ensure it performs appropriately 4.4 Prepare code patch for submission 4.5 Submit code patch to project 4.6 Use appropriate software-development tools and environment |
5. Maintain documentation | 5.1 Access project documentation 5.2 Prepare and contribute new information or updates to existing documentation 5.3 Prepare and submit documentation changes to project |
6. Participate in community | 6.1 Exchange messages with other project members and actively participate in community activities 6.2 Take action to ensure exchanges are socially acceptable 6.3 Submit code and documentation code patches for inclusion 6.4 Access online project resources frequently to keep up-to-date with project and community developments 6.5 Take action to ensure community-participation standards are observed and maintained |
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 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. |
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. |
Programming and software development
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.