Topic: Open Source

Eclipse study shows more gains but some problems

Summary: In 2007 20% of developers used Linux on their developer desktops, against 74% using Windows. Now Linux is up to 33%, Windows is down to 58%. Windows is falling more quickly than Linux is rising.

By Dana Blankenhorn for Linux and Open Source | June 10, 2010 -- 06:22 GMT (23:22 PDT)

Follow @ZDNet

The annual Eclipse survey of open source developers is out, and it says the trends toward open source, away from Microsoft, are holding firm.

(The illustration is from the Eclipse report, and explained below.)

As CNET's Dave Rosenberg notes, Ubuntu and the Apache Tomcat application server are among the big winners, but what's most impressive is to look at how the trends have changed the market environment over time.

Linux.Com is over the moon over the results, with Jennifer Cloer writing it supports other findings of Linux' growing popularity among developers, especially young developers.

In 2007 20% of developers used Linux on their developer desktops, against 74% using Windows. Now Linux is up to 33%, Windows is down to 58%. Windows is falling more quickly than Linux is rising.

While the survey was written in English, about 40% of respondents were from either Germany or France, Eclipse said. Half the respondents were line programmers,

One-fourth don't use a formal process methodology. Most use Subversion for source code management, and half use the Ant build management tool. Server-centric and rich Internet applications now represent over half the work, and mySQL is the most popular database, although even among this group one-in-five use Oracle.

The most disquieting finding, highlighted in the graph close-up above, is that there has been a halt in the momentum toward contributing code back to the community. The percentage of developers contributing back is down, and the percentage who don't interact with the broader community is up.

Theories?

Topic: Open Source

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily email newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

Talkback

14 comments

Log in or register to join the discussion

Contributing back

My guess is that as more and more people start using open source based development software stacks, the percentage contributing back will fall. Early adopters are enthusiastic and are more devoted to the cause. Many times the custom code that a programmer develops may designed specifically for their scenario. It takes time to document and deliver code that is consumable for the broader community. It's no surprise that the use of Windows as a desktop operating system is falling in popularity with this group. Linux has become a more viable option, and someone who believes in developing using a open source software stack is more likely to choose an open source desktop OS to work on.

bmonster
10 June, 2010 07:09

Reply Vote
- RE: Eclipse study shows more gains but some problems
 
 highlighted in the graph close-up<a href="http://fpdaily.net/"> about it</a> is bank that <a href="http://www.marketinge.biz/">website</a> attacked from the <a href="http://www.commerce21.org/">site support</a> from any soldier <a href="http://andyoctavian.com/">site</a> to the light <a href="http://www.hawkeyereview.com/">home page</a> is great above
 
 gorians
 8 September, 2011 02:11
 
 Reply Vote
what are the absolute numbers?

What is the growth in absolute terms? If the number of respondents has risen, a decrease in the % of people contributing back may still equal an increase in real terms.

Example:
1000 people and 40% contribute = 400 contributors
2000 people and 25% contribute = 500 contributors

As a project gains popularity these %s will naturally shift in this direction.

James Dixon, CTO, Pentaho

jimmyed2000
11 June, 2010 10:29

Reply Vote
RE: Eclipse study shows more gains but some problems

The ones that start using the software stack are the makers of the software. As more people start using it, a higher percentage of non-contributors will grow, it stands to reasons. However, just because percentages are down, doesn't mean total number aren't up. I'd still much rather have 10% of 1000 than 20% of 200 contributing to an open source app.

garethmcc
13 June, 2010 12:35

Reply Vote
- RE: Eclipse study shows more gains but some problems
 
 @garethmcc The ones that start using the software stack are the makers of the software. As more people start using it, a higher percentage of non-contributors will grow, it stands to reasons. However, just because percentages are down, doesn't mean total number aren't up. I'd still much rather have 10% of 1000 than 20% of 200 contributing to an open source app.</a><a href="http://www.revivalymaske.com/">pembe maske</a> </a><a href="http://www.energybalancebileklik.com/">energy balance</a> </a><a href="http://www.oynaoyunu.com/">oyna oyunu</a> </a><a href="http://www.moliva.web.tr/">moliva</a> </a><a href="http://www.orjinkrem.net/">orjin krem</a> </a><a href="http://www.tutunesun.web.tr/">tutune son</a></a><a href="http://www.nanomatik.gen.tr/">nanomatik</a> </a><a href="http://www.complex41.net/">complex 41</a>
 
 gaberdiye03
 21 June, 2011 02:41
 
 Reply Vote
RE: Eclipse study shows more gains but some problems

Hi Dana: I had a few ideas that I posted here: http://stephesblog.blogs.com/my_weblog/2010/06/eclipse-2010-survey-notes-contribution-in-open-source-software-projects-declines.html

I think the demographics is telling. The number of students tracks the move in the chart. Also there's a rise in Financial Services participants.

stephe
23 June, 2010 06:18

Reply Vote
RE: Eclipse study shows more gains but some problems

Server-centric and rich Internet applications now represent over half the work, and mySQL is the most popular database, although even among this group one-in-five use Oracle.<a href="http://www.edra41.org/"> a</a><a href="http://www.actioniseloquence.net/"> b</a><a href="http://www.funds-china.com/"> c</a><a href="http://www.isupportbridgewater.com/"> d</a><a href="http://www.cca64.org/"> e</a><a href="http://www.nexumbogazici.com/"> f</a><a href="http://www.h4nholdings.com/"> g</a><a href="http://www.dataseek.info/"> h</a><a href="http://www.pcloshwdb.com/"> i</a><a href="http://www.santaibisnes.com/"> j</a><a href="http://ipadbagblog.com/"> k</a>

zakkiromi
21 April, 2011 23:30

Reply Vote
RE: Eclipse study shows more gains but some problems

Just glad to see Linux is still so popular and that windows haven't taken over everything yet.

snedkere
3 June, 2011 11:45

Reply Vote
RE: Eclipse study shows more gains but some problems

Yes of course it is no surprise that the use of Windows as a desktop operating system is falling in popularity with this <a href="http://wposfv.com/">education news</a> and group.<a href="http://ipadbagblog.com/"> k</a><a href="http://www.sutudeg.org/"> l</a>

edward polling
3 June, 2011 22:36

Reply Vote
RE: Eclipse study shows more gains but some problems

quite impressive really liked your writing an article full of realistic expressions have been presented in detail to

compile a very nice thank you

Everything is explained in detail relevant to the subject site is within the existing social networking sites I came across

a very impressive skins and best regards I wish you continued <a href="http://www.nivahavaperdesi.com">Hava Perdesi Fiyatlari</a>
<a href="http://www.nivahavaperdesi.com">Hava Perdesi</a>
<a href="http://www.nivahavaperdesi.com">Hava Perdeleri</a>success with your site, I found the opportunity to examine in

detail...

seocu
1 September, 2011 06:52

Reply Vote
RE: Eclipse study shows more gains but some problems

has been described has been impressive in terms of visual and descriptive about the site is always so difficult to find

explanatory to people I know now I would recommend you all congratulations

explained in this blog site is really impressive articles on a wide variety of subjects all the time thank you for existing
<a href="http://www.kolcularltd.com">Hava Perdeleri</a>
<a href="http://www.kolcularltd.com">Hava Perdesi Fiyatlari</a>
<a href="http://www.kolcularltd.com">Hava Perdesi</a>
unshared success will follow

seocu
1 September, 2011 06:53

Reply Vote
RE: Eclipse study shows more gains but some problems

Thank you, that your site is very nice touch topics that up until a date and I congratulate you for the labor of a

successful site
<a href="http://www.estilomuhendislik.com">Hava Perdesi Fiyatlari</a>
<a href="http://www.estilomuhendislik.com">Hava Perdesi</a>
<a href="http://www.estilomuhendislik.com">Hava Perdeleri</a>
The topics discussed were very descriptive site Thank you all wish you continued success deserves praise

seocu
1 September, 2011 06:53

Reply Vote
RE: Eclipse study shows more gains but some problems

and explanatory text has been narrated was a great wide thanks to everyone who contributed

consistency has been fully explained in the article is quite descriptive writing and sharing parts of your post I want to
<a href="http://www.havaperdesi.info">Hava Perdesi</a>
<a href="http://www.havaperdesi.info">Hava Perdeleri</a>
<a href="http://www.havaperdesi.info">Hava Perdesi Fiyatlari</a>
share all liked it very much thanks

seocu
1 September, 2011 06:54

Reply Vote
RE: Eclipse study shows more gains but some problems

That is really a big question. Google's servers are the heart of Google's business. And it has long been a FEATURE, a

FEATURE, not a LOOPHOLE, that one could privately modify the GPL code they use to run their business. Of course web

applications are obviously SaaS. But where does one draw the line between those applications and the servers that host

them? For example, take an insurance company running open source on their back end servers. At some point they decide to

put a customer facing front end on those servers so that customers can access their accounts over the Net. Does that
<a href="http://www.ilahidinleyelim.info">ilahi Dinle</a>
<a href="http://www.ilahidinleyelim.info">ilahi</a>
<a href="http://www.ilahidinleyelim.info">ilahi Mp3</a>
suddenly make that whole kaboodle Saas? If so, I am not sure I am comfortable with AGPL. In fact, I am not sure I am

comfortable with this concept anyway since it undercuts one of the few provisions that make GPL software highly attractive

to businesses that are not engaged in reselling the software itself. It really compromises the spirit of the GPL in some

ways.

seocu
1 September, 2011 06:54

Reply Vote