View source for Fork (software development)

In [[software engineering]], a project fork happens when developers take a copy of [[source code]] from one [[software package]] and start independent development on it, creating a distinct and separate piece of software. The term often implies not merely a [[development branch]], but also a split in the developer community, a form of [[schism]].
[[Free and open-source software]] is that which, by definition, may be forked from the original development team without prior permission, without violating copyright law. However, licensed forks of proprietary software (e.g. [[Unix]]) also happen.