Fork: Difference between revisions

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In {{tag|software}} engineering, a project '''fork''' happens when [[developer]]s take a copy of source code from a specific software package, and then start independent {{tag|Software development|development}} on it, thus creating a distinct piece of 'new' software.
In {{tag|software}} engineering, a project '''fork''' happens when [[developer]]s take a copy of source code from a specific software package, and then start independent {{tag|Software development|development}} on it, thus creating a distinct piece of 'new' software.


The term '''{{tag|fork}}''' is also used in the '[[wikisphere]]'.  For instance, the above text was forked from the [[English Wikipedia]] wiki site!  Most [[:Category:Open content|free content]] [[:Category:Wiki License|licenses]] allow [[:Category:Wiki People|people]] to copy material in part or whole; to create their own separate versions of that content: be it a [[:Category:Culture|cultural]] work, a piece of [[:Category:Media|media]], software, or some intellectual pursuit.
The term '''{{tag|fork}}''' is also used in the '[[wikisphere]]'.  For instance, the above text was forked from the [[English Wikipedia]] wiki site!  Most [[:Category:Open content|free content]] [[:Category:Wiki license|licenses]] allow [[:Category:Wiki People|people]] to copy material in part or whole; to create their own separate versions of that content: be it a [[:Category:Culture|cultural]] work, a piece of [[:Category:Media|media]], software, or some intellectual pursuit.
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Sometimes, forking results in [[fragmentation]], whereby two separate [[Wiki community|wiki communities]] have overlapping but divergent goals.  There are strengths and weaknesses to this.  On the one hand, different communities can meet different needs, and problem-solve in new ways.  This also keeps one cultural work from being dominated or controlled by a [[God king|single individual]] or small subset of [[User|people]].  On the other hand, fragmentation can create redundancy, and confusion amongst people.
Sometimes, forking results in [[fragmentation]], whereby two separate [[Wiki community|wiki communities]] have overlapping but divergent goals.  There are strengths and weaknesses to this.  On the one hand, different communities can meet different needs, and problem-solve in new ways.  This also keeps one cultural work from being dominated or controlled by a [[God king|single individual]] or small subset of [[User|people]].  On the other hand, fragmentation can create redundancy, and confusion amongst people.
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==Wiki forking vs. wiki mirroring==
==Wiki forking vs. wiki mirroring==
A [[mirror]] wiki site ''could'', or may also be described as an [[:Category:Archives|archive]].  It duplicates or re-uses content originated elsewhere (hopefully, with proper [[attribution]], and respecting its original [[:Category:Wiki License|license(s)]]), but a wiki mirror normally, is <u>not</u> an originator of <u>new content</u>.
A [[mirror]] wiki site ''could'', or may also be described as an [[:Category:Archives|archive]].  It duplicates or re-uses content originated elsewhere (hopefully, with proper [[attribution]], and respecting its original [[:Category:Wiki license|license(s)]]), but a wiki mirror normally, is <u>not</u> an originator of <u>new content</u>.


A wiki fork creates an entirely new second project (sometimes, though not always, with an identical wiki site name); the wiki fork uses a common set of [[:Category:Wiki Topic|content]] as a starting point.  As the new wiki fork project matures, it builds a (new) [[community]], and creates its own new, unique content, and ultimately its own new identity.
A wiki fork creates an entirely new second project (sometimes, though not always, with an identical wiki site name); the wiki fork uses a common set of [[:Category:Wiki Topic|content]] as a starting point.  As the new wiki fork project matures, it builds a (new) [[community]], and creates its own new, unique content, and ultimately its own new identity.

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