Benevolent Dictator for Life: Difference between revisions
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'''''Benevolent Dictator for Life''''' ('''BDFL''') is the informal title given to a respected individual in the [[open source]] development community who sets general directions and makes final calls in certain situations within the scope of a given project. The term "Benevolent Dictator" is [http://fringe.davesource.com/Fringe/Computers/Philosophy/Homesteading_The_Noosphere/homesteading-15.html first used] in the open source development context by [[Eric Raymond]] in his book <i>[[Homesteading the Noosphere]]</i> to refer to a project structure in which "a project has multiple co-maintainers working under a single `benevolent dictator'" | '''''Benevolent Dictator for Life''''' ('''BDFL''') is the informal title given to a respected individual in the [[open source]] development community who sets general directions and makes final calls in certain situations within the scope of a given project. The term "Benevolent Dictator" is [http://fringe.davesource.com/Fringe/Computers/Philosophy/Homesteading_The_Noosphere/homesteading-15.html first used] in the open source development context by [[Eric Raymond]] in his book <i>[[Homesteading the Noosphere]]</i> to refer to a project structure in which "a project has multiple co-maintainers working under a single `benevolent dictator'" | ||
A "benevolent dictator" (or '''Benevolent Dictator for Life''') is the person who effectively holds dictator-like powers over that project, yet is trusted by other users/developers not to abuse this power. The term is used humorously, because the "subjects" of the project leader contribute voluntarily, and the end-product may be used by everyone. A dictator in this context has power only over the process, and that only for as long as the trust remains. Examples include [[Linus Torvalds]] for the [[Linux kernel]]; [[Guido van Rossum]] for the [[Python programming language]]; [[Larry Wall]] for the [[Perl programming language]] | A "benevolent dictator" (or '''Benevolent Dictator for Life''') is the person who effectively holds dictator-like powers over that project, yet is trusted by other users/developers not to abuse this power. The term is used humorously, because the "subjects" of the project leader contribute voluntarily, and the end-product may be used by everyone. A dictator in this context has power only over the process, and that only for as long as the trust remains. Examples include [[Linus Torvalds]] for the [[Linux kernel]]; [[Guido van Rossum]] for the [[Python programming language]]; [[Larry Wall]] for the [[Perl programming language]]. | ||
Of course, a project coordinator cannot really be anything like a [[dictator]] in the sense that one ultimately cannot enforce a decision, since a project [[fork (software)|fork]] is always possible. | Of course, a project coordinator cannot really be anything like a [[dictator]] in the sense that one ultimately cannot enforce a decision, since a project [[fork (software)|fork]] is always possible. | ||
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Not all, or even most, open source projects have a BDFL. | Not all, or even most, open source projects have a BDFL. | ||
The title is an | The title is an [[portmanteau]] of [[benevolent dictator]] and [[president for life]]. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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[[Category:Project management]] | [[Category:Project management]] | ||
[[Category:Internet slang]] | [[Category:Internet slang]] | ||
[[Category:CZ Live]] | |||
Revision as of 12:03, 27 October 2006
Template:Sources Benevolent Dictator for Life (BDFL) is the informal title given to a respected individual in the open source development community who sets general directions and makes final calls in certain situations within the scope of a given project. The term "Benevolent Dictator" is first used in the open source development context by Eric Raymond in his book Homesteading the Noosphere to refer to a project structure in which "a project has multiple co-maintainers working under a single `benevolent dictator'"
A "benevolent dictator" (or Benevolent Dictator for Life) is the person who effectively holds dictator-like powers over that project, yet is trusted by other users/developers not to abuse this power. The term is used humorously, because the "subjects" of the project leader contribute voluntarily, and the end-product may be used by everyone. A dictator in this context has power only over the process, and that only for as long as the trust remains. Examples include Linus Torvalds for the Linux kernel; Guido van Rossum for the Python programming language; Larry Wall for the Perl programming language.
Of course, a project coordinator cannot really be anything like a dictator in the sense that one ultimately cannot enforce a decision, since a project fork is always possible.
Not all, or even most, open source projects have a BDFL.
The title is an portmanteau of benevolent dictator and president for life.