FSP FAQs: Software

Approval of scientific software requires two reviews—a code review and a domain review as described in this FAQ. A single reviewer can perform either review or both reviews. The reviewer(s) are selected by the software author with concurrence of a Science Center Director for their qualifications to perform such reviews. [Read more]

Scientific software can be released as either approved or provisional software. Software can be released as a stand-alone product, as a separate product associated with another USGS scientific information product, or released in association with an outside publication. [Read more]

USGS scientific software releases are approved by the Science Center Director, the authoritative copy is maintained on a USGS hosting platform (e.g. code.usgs.gov). Nonauthoritative copies can be shared on externally hosted platforms but the DOI must point to the USGS hosting platform. [Read more]

Scientific software is ready for approval and public release when a version of the software is no longer under development, includes the appropriate documentation, and has been reviewed in accordance with IM OSQI 2019-01 requirements. [Read more]

In contrast to approved software, provisional or preliminary scientific software is subject to change and is not approved as a USGS information product but may be shared informally through a publicly accessible code repository following Science Center approval. [Read more]