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What is the difference between approved and provisional software? [076]

By Office of Science Quality and Integrity

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]

USGS releases both provisional or preliminary software and approved software. Provisional or preliminary scientific software, which is subject to change, has yet to be approved as a USGS information product. Release of in-progress scientific software for collaborative or informal sharing through a publicly accessible code repository requires Science Center level approval of the methods and practices used and assurance that personal, private, or otherwise sensitive information is not shared, but does not require tracking through the IPDS or approval as an information product.