This is a Technikon podcast.

This is a Technikon podcast.

You rely on software every day. Maybe you haven't thought about it, but it's true. Regardless of who you are, or what you do chances are that you are benefiting in some way from embedded code, which works in the background. Right now, for example, as you are listening to me, there is software working for you. Hello, I'm Peter Balint from Technikon, and today we look at the world of software development. This field is becoming increasingly complex, and the development process remains expensive and many times un-unified. At a time where the need for software is exploding in the advent of the Internet of Things, something needs to change. The partners in the DECODER project know this. They are building an integrated development environment as an open source solution. This environment will help to level out the inconsistencies in the development process and provide state of the art tools to ensure that software developed in the EU becomes reusable, efficient and adaptable. Today, we sit down with Olivier Bouzereau from OW2. OW2 is a valuable partner in DECODER because they promote open source solutions for real-world business and industrial environments. Let's go into the studio. Welcome to the podcast, and thanks for coming on today.

You rely on software every day. Maybe you haven't thought about it, but it's true. Regardless of who you are, or what you do chances are that you are benefiting in some way from embedded code, which works in the background. Right now, for example, as you are listening to me, there is software working for you. Hello, I'm Peter Balint from Technikon, and today we look at the world of software development. This field is becoming increasingly complex, and the development process remains expensive and many times un-unified. At a time where the need for software is exploding in the advent of the Internet of Things, something needs to change. The partners in the DECODER project know this. They are building an integrated development environment as an open source solution. This environment will help to level out the inconsistencies in the development process and provide state of the art tools to ensure that software developed in the EU becomes reusable, efficient and adaptable. Today, we sit down with Olivier Bouzereau from OW2. OW2 is a valuable partner in DECODER because they promote open source solutions for real-world business and industrial environments. Let's go into the studio. Welcome to the podcast, and thanks for coming on today.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We talked a bit about DECODER in the intro, but what can you tell us?

We talked a bit about DECODER in the intro, but what can you tell us?

Sure. DECODER is an open, research and innovation project. It received the funding from the European Union's H2020 programme... Horizon 2020, and the activities in the project involving seven organisations from four European countries. One University in Spain, UPV , one research research centre, CEA List in France, two industrial partners: Capgemini TS, and Sysgo, and three SMEs, OW2, Technikon and Tree Technologies. DECODER is building a software project intelligence platform to shorten the learning curve of all new software contributors. they could be programmers, testers, maintenance operators. It is using, in fact, the internally NLP and machine learning AI techniques to improve software understanding and to accelerate... to speed up updates while the software code is being considered as a natural language, which is an original approach. And along with existing software quality and security tools, the decoder platform is able to share knowledge within the DevOps teams, for instance. And for that, it can be in line with agile programmation, agile development and CI/CD pipelines.

Sure. DECODER is an open, research and innovation project. It received the funding from the European Union's H2020 programme... Horizon 2020, and the activities in the project involving seven organisations from four European countries. One University in Spain, UPV , one research research centre, CEA List in France, two industrial partners: Capgemini TS, and Sysgo, and three SMEs, OW2, Technikon and Tree Technologies. DECODER is building a software project intelligence platform to shorten the learning curve of all new software contributors. they could be programmers, testers, maintenance operators. It is using, in fact, the internally NLP and machine learning AI techniques to improve software understanding and to accelerate... to speed up updates while the software code is being considered as a natural language, which is an original approach. And along with existing software quality and security tools, the decoder platform is able to share knowledge within the DevOps teams, for instance. And for that, it can be in line with agile programmation, agile development and CI/CD pipelines.

And you, of course, are working for 0W2 which is an organization promoting open source software. Tell us the role of 0W2 in decoder.

And you, of course, are working for 0W2 which is an organization promoting open source software. Tell us the role of 0W2 in decoder.

Sure. OW2 is an independent community dedicated to promoting open source software for information systems and to fostering their business ecosystems. Presently, OW2 federates 50... more than 50 organisations and more than 2500 I.T. professionals worldwide. We are hosting more than 50 technology projects, including BlueMind, KnowAge , Lutece, OCS inventory Rocket.Chat, XWiki , for instance. And in order to test the DECODER platform, OW2 applies the technologies developed by the project partners to a selection of Java codes from the OW2 code base. So we are also the dissemination partner in DECODER. OW2 provides the collaborative infrastructure to all participants in the project. And we also represent the project on online through the website and social media, during the webinars and whenever possible, physically at industry trade, show trade shows and scientific conferences.

Sure. OW2 is an independent community dedicated to promoting open source software for information systems and to fostering their business ecosystems. Presently, OW2 federates 50... more than 50 organisations and more than 2500 I.T. professionals worldwide. We are hosting more than 50 technology projects, including BlueMind, KnowAge , Lutece, OCS inventory Rocket.Chat, XWiki , for instance. And in order to test the DECODER platform, OW2 applies the technologies developed by the project partners to a selection of Java codes from the OW2 code base. So we are also the dissemination partner in DECODER. OW2 provides the collaborative infrastructure to all participants in the project. And we also represent the project on online through the website and social media, during the webinars and whenever possible, physically at industry trade, show trade shows and scientific conferences.

So the trade show business is slowly coming back. But social media, meanwhile, is exploding. And as dissemination partner, you must ensure that communication about the project is effective and directed towards the right audience.

So the trade show business is slowly coming back. But social media, meanwhile, is exploding. And as dissemination partner, you must ensure that communication about the project is effective and directed towards the right audience.

Correct. We are planning several events and even hybrid events, partly online and physically in conference rooms.

Correct. We are planning several events and even hybrid events, partly online and physically in conference rooms.

And let's go back to the overarching goal of DECODER, which is to make software development more streamlined, more efficient and more resilient to fluctuations in the users and environments. Simply put, DECODER aims to make sure that developers are on the same page. And this has quite a value for a new or temporary developer. Is that about right?

And let's go back to the overarching goal of DECODER, which is to make software development more streamlined, more efficient and more resilient to fluctuations in the users and environments. Simply put, DECODER aims to make sure that developers are on the same page. And this has quite a value for a new or temporary developer. Is that about right?

That's right. In fact, the central component in DECODER is a database... a knowledge base which is called the PKM for Persistent Knowledge Manager. And we are collecting knowledge about the software code of each components in a project. So this could be from the comments of the the developers, but also from automatic analysis of the code.

That's right. In fact, the central component in DECODER is a database... a knowledge base which is called the PKM for Persistent Knowledge Manager. And we are collecting knowledge about the software code of each components in a project. So this could be from the comments of the the developers, but also from automatic analysis of the code.

So this PKM that you have mentioned, is this a tangible outcome from decoder?

So this PKM that you have mentioned, is this a tangible outcome from decoder?

Yes, it is. It's a central knowledge base that has been designed based on the Mongo database. We have also developed a set of models and tools that are made available through the PKM and on the front end side, the DECODER orchestrator is a web client that provides the unified view of the software to all stakeholders.

Yes, it is. It's a central knowledge base that has been designed based on the Mongo database. We have also developed a set of models and tools that are made available through the PKM and on the front end side, the DECODER orchestrator is a web client that provides the unified view of the software to all stakeholders.

And everything you're doing is Open-Source right?

And everything you're doing is Open-Source right?

Correct.

Correct.

And for those of you who aren't aware, open source software is software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify or enhance.

And for those of you who aren't aware, open source software is software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify or enhance.

Exactly

Exactly

Why is it so important for DECODER to be developed in this way?

Why is it so important for DECODER to be developed in this way?

Sure. As you know, when public money is invested, public code is a natural choice, and the DECODER is a project that received funding from the European Union program H 2020. So the full source code being made available open source research projects simplifies the use and the co-development of software with several new partners and with external contributors. Now and as well as in the future. So starting next year... early next year the platform... DECODER platform, it's methodology and tools will be an OW2 open source project freely available to all. So anyone could contribute. DECODER designers are not only open source advocates, they want to provide the software project intelligence platform to increase the productivity and the quality of all software contributors.

Sure. As you know, when public money is invested, public code is a natural choice, and the DECODER is a project that received funding from the European Union program H 2020. So the full source code being made available open source research projects simplifies the use and the co-development of software with several new partners and with external contributors. Now and as well as in the future. So starting next year... early next year the platform... DECODER platform, it's methodology and tools will be an OW2 open source project freely available to all. So anyone could contribute. DECODER designers are not only open source advocates, they want to provide the software project intelligence platform to increase the productivity and the quality of all software contributors.

Some listeners might be asking about the security of open source products. How do you address this concern?

Some listeners might be asking about the security of open source products. How do you address this concern?

At OW2 we are very concerned by this question, in fact, and we help also companies embrace open source software and have governance around open source. So, this is a challenge at OW2 which we often have. We have the market readiness levels, which is which is a business oriented approach to open source projects, which is unique to the OW2. And we want by this MRL is the adoption of a OW2 software by mainstream decision makers, those that that are not necessarily familiar with open source. We also have an initiative which is called open source good governance initiative. It is, if you want the blueprint for the implementation of, OSPO, OSPO being open source program offices that is available in any kind of organization, it provides a comprehensive approach for professionally managing relations with the world of open source software.

At OW2 we are very concerned by this question, in fact, and we help also companies embrace open source software and have governance around open source. So, this is a challenge at OW2 which we often have. We have the market readiness levels, which is which is a business oriented approach to open source projects, which is unique to the OW2. And we want by this MRL is the adoption of a OW2 software by mainstream decision makers, those that that are not necessarily familiar with open source. We also have an initiative which is called open source good governance initiative. It is, if you want the blueprint for the implementation of, OSPO, OSPO being open source program offices that is available in any kind of organization, it provides a comprehensive approach for professionally managing relations with the world of open source software.

So with the proper governance, open source can be quite a secure option for development.

So with the proper governance, open source can be quite a secure option for development.

Yes, it is the goal, in fact, as in in a company, you have CSOs, chief security officer. We think that we will see more and more people involved in the good governance of open source software.

Yes, it is the goal, in fact, as in in a company, you have CSOs, chief security officer. We think that we will see more and more people involved in the good governance of open source software.

When we first talked about outcomes, you mentioned a beta testing campaign. What is the status there?

When we first talked about outcomes, you mentioned a beta testing campaign. What is the status there?

Three beta testing campaigns have been planned for the project so far. Two of them are currently life campaigns. You can find them, by the way, on the software menu of the decoder website,

Three beta testing campaigns have been planned for the project so far. Two of them are currently life campaigns. You can find them, by the way, on the software menu of the decoder website,

...which I will add is decoder-project.eu

...which I will add is decoder-project.eu

Exactly. The first tool is JMLGen. JMLGen is a utility available through the ReachOut platform so that beta testers can try it in their own environment. What is doing, JML it's generates JML annotations from what can be guessed out of the Java project, and the result is a JML annotated project that can be processed by other JML tools like the OpenJML program. Verification tool. Another tool is doc to JSON. It's a utility also that is available through reachout. This time, the beta tester can extract text or data from any open office documents to a JSON format. And the third beta testing campaign... what it's doing it's providing the beta release of the DECODER platform, possibly as a docker image.

Exactly. The first tool is JMLGen. JMLGen is a utility available through the ReachOut platform so that beta testers can try it in their own environment. What is doing, JML it's generates JML annotations from what can be guessed out of the Java project, and the result is a JML annotated project that can be processed by other JML tools like the OpenJML program. Verification tool. Another tool is doc to JSON. It's a utility also that is available through reachout. This time, the beta tester can extract text or data from any open office documents to a JSON format. And the third beta testing campaign... what it's doing it's providing the beta release of the DECODER platform, possibly as a docker image.

So DECODER is not just academic then.

So DECODER is not just academic then.

Sure. Sure, sure. It's a RIA so research and innovation action. In fact, the Horizon 2020 programme is really looking at concrete outcomes from these projects that could be reused in other projects.

Sure. Sure, sure. It's a RIA so research and innovation action. In fact, the Horizon 2020 programme is really looking at concrete outcomes from these projects that could be reused in other projects.

And the way you describe it, one could easily see the benefit on the software development community. But what about the average citizen in the EU? How would they benefit?

And the way you describe it, one could easily see the benefit on the software development community. But what about the average citizen in the EU? How would they benefit?

There will be probably several benefits, but not direct benefits to the average European citizens will be through the software he is using. So the current trends in the software engineering is to provide quick, fast updates to any platform, any software so DECODER here will play a central role to help contributors to understand the more exactly what the whole platform on the whole software could be... an IoT Software, for instance, Internet of Things... solution or a cloud solution or big data solution. So these implies a lots of different components and middleware and database, so it's difficult to have...for a developer in such a program it's difficult to have a complete view and a general understanding of what the software is actually doing. So the developer will help and will contribute in the in the knowledge sharing.

There will be probably several benefits, but not direct benefits to the average European citizens will be through the software he is using. So the current trends in the software engineering is to provide quick, fast updates to any platform, any software so DECODER here will play a central role to help contributors to understand the more exactly what the whole platform on the whole software could be... an IoT Software, for instance, Internet of Things... solution or a cloud solution or big data solution. So these implies a lots of different components and middleware and database, so it's difficult to have...for a developer in such a program it's difficult to have a complete view and a general understanding of what the software is actually doing. So the developer will help and will contribute in the in the knowledge sharing.

So a benefit could be faster software development and rapid rollouts of apps, for example.

So a benefit could be faster software development and rapid rollouts of apps, for example.

Yes, it could be that, but it's also focused on software quality and software security. If we know what we are doing, when you when we change something in the software component, it's it's easier to control the way it will provide the exact features it should provide and with the security level that the users are expecting.

Yes, it could be that, but it's also focused on software quality and software security. If we know what we are doing, when you when we change something in the software component, it's it's easier to control the way it will provide the exact features it should provide and with the security level that the users are expecting.

So the bottom line is decoder is poised to bring efficient, safe and secure solutions to the software development world.

So the bottom line is decoder is poised to bring efficient, safe and secure solutions to the software development world.

That's correct

That's correct

And this affects all of us. Thank you, Olivier, for joining us today and giving us a glimpse inside DECODER.

And this affects all of us. Thank you, Olivier, for joining us today and giving us a glimpse inside DECODER.

Thank you very much for listening and asking your questions.

Thank you very much for listening and asking your questions.

This podcast has been brought to you by Technikn. For more information about DECODER, go to decoder-project.eu. The DECODER project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and a grant agreement No. 824231

This podcast has been brought to you by Technikn. For more information about DECODER, go to decoder-project.eu. The DECODER project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and a grant agreement No. 824231