Forge (software)

In FOSS development communities, a forge is a web-based collaborative software platform for both developing and sharing computer applications. A forge platform is generally able to host multiple independent projects.

For software developers it is a place to host, among others, source code (often version-controlled), bug database and documentation for their projects. For users, a forge is a repository of computer applications.

Software forges have become popular, and have proven successful as a software development model for a large number of software projects.

The term forge refers to a common prefix or suffix adopted by various platforms created after the example of SourceForge (such as GForge and FusionForge). This usage of the word stems from the metalworking forge, used for shaping metal parts.

Technology

Two different kinds of concepts are commonly referred to by the term forge:

• a service offered on a Web platform to host software development projects;
• an integrated set of software elements which produce such platforms, ready for deployment.

All these platforms provide similar tools helpful to software developers working in the hosted projects:

• source code management systems
• mailing-lists or forums
• wikis
• download services
• bug tracking system

Some provide other features as well:

• code review

Examples

References

See also

• Collaborative development environment (CDE)
• Comparison of open source software hosting facilities
• List of free software project directories
• Application lifecycle management