# GNUe DCL

> work order and help desk management system

**Wikidata**: [Q114295241](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q114295241)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gnue-dcl

## Summary
GNUe DCL (Double Choco Latte) is a free software work order and help desk management system designed as a web application. Written in the PHP scripting language, it facilitates the management of support tickets and operational tasks through a web browser. The project operates under the GNU General Public License and became a component of GNU Enterprise in 2002.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** Double Choco Latte (DCL)
- **Category:** Free software, Web application, Help desk software
- **Primary Function:** Work order and help desk management system
- **Creator:** Michael L. Dean
- **Maintainer:** Michael L. Dean
- **Programming Language:** PHP
- **License:** GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later
- **Affiliation:** Part of GNU Enterprise (merged March 5, 2002)
- **Latest Version:** 0.9.5RC15 (released October 11, 2020)
- **Repository:** github.com/gnuedcl/dcl

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of GNUe DCL?
A: GNUe DCL is designed to serve as a work order and help desk management system. It allows organizations to track and manage support requests and operational work orders via a web-based interface.

### Q: Is GNUe DCL free to use?
A: Yes, GNUe DCL is classified as free software released under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later. This allows users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the software.

### Q: Who created and maintains GNUe DCL?
A: The software was created by Michael L. Dean, who is also listed as the project's maintainer.

### Q: When did the project become part of GNU Enterprise?
A: The Double Choco Latte project merged with GNU Enterprise on March 5, 2002, to further accelerate free software enterprise application offerings.

## Why It Matters
GNUe DCL represents a significant effort within the free software community to provide robust enterprise-level tools for IT service management without the licensing costs associated with proprietary software. By functioning as a web application written in PHP, it offers accessibility across different platforms via a browser, lowering the barrier to entry for deployment.

The project's integration into GNU Enterprise in 2002 highlights its role in the broader ecosystem of open-source business solutions. While proprietary help desk solutions often dominate the market, GNUe DCL provides a transparent, modifiable alternative for organizations that require full control over their data and software stack. Its continued availability on platforms like GitHub and SourceForge ensures that it remains a resource for developers and system administrators seeking customizable ticketing and work order systems.

## Notable For
- **Enterprise Integration:** Notable for merging with the GNU Enterprise project to enhance free software offerings for businesses.
- **Web-Based Architecture:** Distinguished as a help desk solution built specifically as a web application using PHP.
- **Licensing:** stands out as a help desk management system distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), guaranteeing user freedoms.
- **Longevity:** Maintains a presence with releases as recent as October 2020, despite its origins in the early 2000s.

## Body
### Technical Overview
GNUe DCL is built as a web application, utilizing PHP as its primary scripting language. This architecture allows the software to function as a client-server system where the user interacts with the system entirely through a web browser. As an "instance of" help desk software, its core functionality revolves around the management of work orders and support tickets.

### Project History and Development
The project was originally developed by Michael L. Dean under the name "Double Choco Latte" (DCL). A significant milestone in its history occurred on March 5, 2002, when the project merged with GNU Enterprise. This strategic move was aimed at accelerating the availability of free software enterprise applications.

The software is classified as "free software," emphasizing the user's legal right to study, change, and distribute it. It is copyrighted but licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later.

### Current Status and Availability
As of the latest available data, GNUe DCL is maintained by Michael L. Dean. The most recent recorded version is **0.9.5RC15**, which was released on **October 11, 2020**.

Resources for the project include:
- **Source Code Repository:** hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/gnuedcl/dcl`.
- **Project Page:** historically hosted on SourceForge (`dcl`).
- **Official Website:** `https://dcl.sourceforge.net/`.

The software includes an issue tracker accessible via GitHub, facilitating community feedback and bug reporting. It is also listed in the Free Software Directory under the entry "Double Choco Latte."

## References

1. Free Software Directory
2. [Source](https://dcl.sourceforge.net/site/developers.php)
3. [Source](https://github.com/gnuedcl/dcl/releases)
4. [GNU Enterprise and Double Choco Latte Projects Merge to Further Accelerate  Free Software Enterprise Application Offerings. 2002](https://www.gnu.org/press/2002-03-05-DCL-GNUE.txt)