# Mahara

> free and open-source web-based electronic portfolio management system

**Wikidata**: [Q126409](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126409)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahara_(software))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mahara

## Summary
Mahara is a free and open-source web-based electronic portfolio management system. Originally launched in December 2006, it is built using the PHP scripting language and is utilized primarily for creating and managing digital learning portfolios.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Free software; Learning management system.
- **Primary Function:** Electronic portfolio management.
- **Inception Date:** December 1, 2006.
- **Programming Language:** PHP.
- **License:** Q27016754 (Free software license).
- **Website:** https://mahara.org/
- **Source Code Repository:** https://git.mahara.org/mahara/mahara.git
- **Supported File Format:** PDF.
- **Version History:** Includes version 17.04.1 (recorded).
- **Copyright Status:** Copyrighted.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Mahara used for?
A: Mahara is used as an electronic portfolio management system. It allows users to collect, reflect on, and share their work and learning achievements in a web-based environment.

### Q: Is Mahara free to use?
A: Yes, Mahara is classified as free software. This means it is distributed under terms that allow users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it and any modified versions.

### Q: What technology is Mahara built on?
A: Mahara is a web-based application built using the PHP scripting language. It is an open-source project with its source code available via a Git repository.

## Why It Matters
Mahara plays a significant role in the education and technology sectors as a specialized tool for learner-centered assessment. By functioning as a dedicated electronic portfolio (e-portfolio) system, it fills a specific niche distinct from general learning management systems, allowing users to aggregate and showcase their work over time.

Its status as free and open-source software lowers barriers to entry for educational institutions and individuals, promoting adaptable and transparent software use. Users are not only free to use the platform without licensing costs but are also empowered to modify the software to fit specific organizational needs. The platform's support for standard formats like PDF and its availability in multiple languages (including English, Spanish, French, and German) enhances its utility as a global tool for digital literacy and personal development.

## Notable For
-   **Open Source Philosophy:** Fully distributable as free software, allowing users to study and modify the code.
-   **Specialized Function:** Distinct focus on electronic portfolio management rather than general content management.
-   **Web-Based Accessibility:** Accessible via standard web browsers without requiring specialized client software.
-   **Extensibility:** Built on PHP, a widely-used scripting language conducive to web development and customization.

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Mahara is a web-based application developed primarily in the PHP scripting language. The project is publicly accessible via its source code repository located at `git.mahara.org`. As an open-source project, it is classified as free software, distributed under a license identified as Q27016754.

### Functionality and Features
The core utility of Mahara is the creation and management of electronic portfolios. It supports the handling of various digital assets, including the viewing and management of PDF file formats. The system is designed to function as a learning management system (LMS) with a specific focus on portfolio aggregation.

### History and Availability
The project was inceptioned on December 1, 2006. It maintains an official website at `mahara.org` and has a significant presence across various knowledge bases, including Wikipedia (available in languages such as English, German, French, and Spanish) and Quora. The software is copyrighted but freely distributable under its open-source terms.

## References

1. [Source](https://git.mahara.org/mahara/mahara/-/blob/20.10_STABLE/README.md#copyright-notice)
2. [The mahara Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/mahara/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://manual.mahara.org/en/24.04/blocks/files.html#pdf)
5. [The mahara Open Source Project on Open Hub: Code Locations Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/mahara/enlistments)
6. Quora