Abstract-In the pull-based development model, the integrator has the crucial role of managing and integrating contributions. This work focuses on the role of the integrator and investigates working habits and challenges alike. We set up an exploratory qualitative study involving a large-scale survey involving 749 integrators, to which we add quantitative data from the integrator's project. Our results provide insights into the factors they consider in their decision making process to accept or reject a contribution. Our key findings are that integrators struggle to maintain the quality of their projects and have difficulties with prioritizing contributions that are to be merged.

Abstract-Testing plug-in-based systems is challenging due to complex interactions among many different plug-ins, and variations in version and configuration. The objective of this paper is to increase our understanding of what testers and developers think and do when it comes to testing plug-inbased systems. To that end, we conduct a qualitative (grounded theory) study, in which we interview 25 senior practitioners about how they test plug-in applications based on the Eclipse plug-in architecture. The outcome is an overview of the testing practices currently used, a set of identified barriers limiting test adoption, and an explanation of how limited testing is compensated by self-hosting of projects and by involving the community. These results are supported by a structured survey of more than 150 professionals. The study reveals that unit testing plays a key role, whereas plug-in specific integration problems are identified and resolved by the community. Based on our findings, we propose a series of recommendations and areas for future research.

No abstract

No abstract

Significance Statement / Nontechnical summary 1While the convergent evolution of phenotypes in similar environments is a well-studied 2 phenomenon, the genomic basis of such common phenotypes and physiologies is still enigmatic. 3The prevalent notion is that re-use of the same genes to adapt to similar environments in different 4 species is about as likely as winning the lotterybut organismal systems are also, to some extent, 5comparable between different species such as man and fruit fly through shared genes and gene 6 functions. In this paper, we test whether constraint or contingency is more prevalent in genomic 7 adaptation of vertebrates to aspects of their abiotic environment. We find evidence for strong 8 functional constraint and stress responsiveness of the genes involved, which might help 9 understand how currently experienced stress under changing climates may result in future 10 adaptation. 11 12 Abstract 13