The First Joint Workshop on Software Publication by GFZ an PIK was held on 2012-05-07. All developers of algorithms, models, and software at GFZ, PIK, and AWI were invited to attend this workshop.

Main points discussed at this workshop were:

• How can models and software be published?
• Which licence models are available and which are suitable in a scientific context?
• Which distribution channels an platforms are available for the distribution of source code from models and software?

The aim of this workshop was to get an overview of the types of code created on and around Telegrafenberg and determine the requirements towards software publications. The outcomes of this workshop will be the basis for upcoming workshops targeted at specific aspects of software publication and will be used to develop consulting and publication services for software to be offered through the Library of Wissenschaftspark Albert Einstein.

Introductory presentation Presentation on software publication Presentation on licensing models

The participants identified five components necessary to facilitate software publication and citation:

• Academic journals
• Reports in the GFZ STR series (“STR Software”)
• Code repositoried and distribution platforms (e.g. Sourceforge, GitHub, …)
• Certified long-term archives for published code

Where possible, the published items (articles, reports, code) should be identifiable by persistent identifiers, such as DOI.

Figure 1: Components of a system for the publication and distribution of software.

Participants at the workshop asked for the following materials and services to be developed:

• Point of contact for questions regarding the publication and distribution of software
• Guideline for choosing an appropriate licence and a list of recommended licences
• List of distribution platforms and recommendations
• Information on attribution of software authors
• Templates for source code file headers (authro, attribution, institution, etc.)
• Best pratices for software publication and distribution
• STR Software report series

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