SPO600 LAB 1 - OpenSSH and Mame
Published: 2021-09-30 15:12:45

**OpenSSH** 
OpenSSH is a client and server open-source application that allows users to ssh into machines and much more. 

OpenSSH is developed with the use of mailing lists and there are two specific mail addresses that are used for development purposes. On the OpenSSH website they indicate that security-related issues are sent privately to the email address openssh@openssh.com which is read only by the OpenSSH developers. For general development OpenSSH uses a public list using the email address openssh-unix-dev@mindrot.org for discussions relating to the development, documentation and troubleshooting of both the portable and OpenBSD version of OpenSSH. 

If a developer wanted to create a patch for OpenSSH they would first need to develop on the latest version of OpenSSH to ensure all previous updates are included. Next, they would develop the changes for the program and then rebuild the program. Once the patch is complete it is posted onto the public mailing list including the committed changes and the benefits of the patch and waits for approval and discussion from other developers. If the patch is approved it will be integrated into the next updated release for OpenSSH. 

All threads posted on the mailing list are archived for documentation purposes. For example we can see a patch to the sftp-server created by Mike Frysinger in the [archive](https://lists.mindrot.org/pipermail/openssh-unix-dev/2021-September/039670.html). Unfortunately, this archive did not receive any comments but was still added to a new build version. 

**Mame** 
Mame is is a free and open-source emulator designed to recreate the hardware of arcade game systems in software. As Mame is open-source anyone is able to develop for Mame and release patches that would benefit the program. 

The development process for Mame is to first acquire the latest version so that previous updates are included. Developers would then create changes, fix bugs or add features to Mame. Once the changes are complete they can commit their changes to the SCMS/Mame Github page where it will wait for approval and be up for discussion with other developers. 

In this case [#8042](https://github.com/mamedev/mame/issues/8042) we can see one user found a bug within Mame that was affecting audio. By providing the right information and showing how to replicate the bug a developer was able to assist and fix the bug allowing for a push to be made to the next build version.  The process took only three days as the communication was constant and fast and more than one bug was actually found and solved within those three days. 

**SMCS VS MAILING LIST**
The reason I observed these open-source packages is because I’ve used both of them for work/projects and I thought it would be beneficial to view the development process. I believe source code management systems have an advantage over mailing systems. SCMS’s like Github allow for simplicity and easy management by providing users the ability to easily create issues, discuss and store for future reference. Mailing lists are quite outdated, require a subscription to join and require a second source for creating archives for future reference.