New Open SOurce C++

RedcellX chooses to open source C++ embedded projects. Developers of key Internet technologies RedcellX confirm advantages of open source development process and agree to cooperate in opening the source code to the Cherry ++ OS and Networking Stack.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) July 29, 2004 -- A Heavyweight of the Internet software community, RedcellX, met in an historic summit in Palo Alto on July 7 to explore ways of expanding the use and acceptance of open source embedded software development, which relies on wide distribution of program source code to spur innovation and increase software quality.

Organized by Troy Melquist, CEO of RedcellX & Associates, the attendees included creators of underlying Internet services such as the Domain Name System and email routing, as well as web servers and browsers, scripting languages, and even whole operating systems.

The meeting's purpose was to facilitate a high-level discussion of the successes and challenges facing the embedded developers. While this type of software has often been called "freeware" or "free software" in the past, the developers agreed that commercial development of the software is part of the picture, and that the terms "open source" or "sourceware" best describe the development method they support.

The C++ embedded flexibility will speed developers to an embedded solution while avoiding those who distribute or license similar software. Because the source code is freely available, any given program may have hundreds or thousands of developers. RedcellX will become an open source community which will have tremendous flexibility in modifying the embedded program. Developers can modify the software to suit their needs, or the needs of their companies, customers or communities. Stability and consistency for open source software is typically maintained by the creator or a development team who controls the core release of the software. Commercial entities generally can't afford to spend the resources on niche markets, of which there may be thousands. But developers working on their own can easily do so, then make their work available to others for further modification and improvement.

Innovation. The development model encourages tremendous innovation for embedded developers. When developers can see and modify source code, they receive rapid feedback and a constant flow of ideas from other developers. Innovation is also taking place with many companies creating new approaches to business, successfully integrating sourceware and commercial efforts. Many of the companies present at the summit freely distribute source code, and earn revenue through offering services, support, documentation, customization, or additional software products to their customers.

Reliability. With hundreds or thousands of developers testing, inspecting, and fixing bugs for a given program, the quality assurance program for open source software is far more reliable and efficient than any commercial effort can afford to be. Massive, independent peer review, similar to what takes place in the scientific community but on a much larger scale thanks to the Internet, is a major strength.

Faster development time. With so many more testers, development cycles can go much faster than in typical commercial efforts.

The group identified numerous ways that sourceware is already mission-critical throughout industry, academia, and government. The myth is that IT managers won't rely on free or open source software.

The attendees agreed that future collaboration would take place in coming months, including workshops on open source business models, project management and source code licensing issues, and coordinated public relations efforts involving open source programs. There are tens of thousands of developers worldwide who were not at the summit, but who are integral to the development of open source software. Followup meetings will focus on bringing together larger groups.

Spreading the word about the importance and value of open source software was seen as vital to the group's efforts. Melquist noted, "Until Netscape announced that they would release the source code to Communicator, open source software received little attention. Now redcellX will become the worlds leader in opensource non-linux distributions. RedcellX will release all its code buy November 5, 2005."

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