Consider the Source: The Value of Source Code to Digital Preservation Strategies

Authors

Michel Castagné, The University of British ColumbiaFollow

Abstract

One of the major challenges in the digital preservation field is the difficulty of ensuring long-term access to digital objects, especially in cases when the software that was used to create an object is no longer current. Software source code has a human-readable, documentary structure that makes it an overlooked aspect of digital preservation strategies, in addition to a valuable component for the records of modern computing history. The author surveys several approaches to software preservation and finds that, by supporting open source initiatives, digital libraries can improve their ability to preserve access to their collections for future generations.

About Author

Michel Castagné is a Master of Library and Information Studies candidate at the University of British Columbia. He specializes in digital libraries and preservation in an academic setting, as well as designing effective information architecture and databases.

Recommended Citation

Castagné, M. (2013). Consider the Source: The Value of Source Code to Digital Preservation Strategies. School of Information Student Research Journal, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.31979/2575-2499.020205