# software preservation

> actions related to stewarding software so that it can be used in the future

**Wikidata**: [Q33125760](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q33125760)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_preservation)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/software-preservation

## Summary
Software preservation is the practice of stewarding software to ensure its continued accessibility, trustworthiness, and usability for future generations. It is a specialized form of digital preservation focused specifically on software, including open-source projects and legacy systems. Organizations and initiatives like the GitHub Archive Program actively work to preserve software for long-term use.

## Key Facts
- Software preservation is a subclass of digital preservation, focusing on software rather than broader digital information.
- The GitHub Archive Program, launched in 2019, preserves open-source software for future generations.
- Software preservation ensures that software remains functional, well-documented, and accessible despite technological changes.
- Preserved software can include open-source projects, proprietary software, and legacy systems.
- Organizations and institutions may collaborate to archive software in specialized repositories or physical archives.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the difference between software preservation and digital preservation?
A: Digital preservation encompasses all digital information, while software preservation specifically focuses on ensuring software remains usable, functional, and accessible over time.

### Q: Why is software preservation important?
A: Software preservation ensures that valuable software, including open-source projects and legacy systems, remains available for future use, research, and development.

### Q: How is software preserved?
A: Software can be preserved through digital archives, physical storage (like the GitHub Archive Program), and documentation efforts to ensure it remains functional and understandable.

### Q: Who is responsible for software preservation?
A: Organizations, institutions, and initiatives like the GitHub Archive Program work to preserve software, often collaborating with developers and researchers.

### Q: What types of software are preserved?
A: Preserved software includes open-source projects, proprietary software, and legacy systems that are deemed valuable for historical, educational, or practical purposes.

## Why It Matters
Software preservation is crucial because software is a foundational part of modern infrastructure, research, and cultural heritage. Without preservation, valuable software—including open-source projects and legacy systems—could become inaccessible or unusable due to technological obsolescence. Initiatives like the GitHub Archive Program ensure that software remains available for future generations, supporting ongoing development, historical research, and the preservation of digital knowledge. By safeguarding software, we maintain the ability to build upon past innovations and ensure that critical tools and systems remain functional for years to come.

## Notable For
- Software preservation is a specialized subset of digital preservation, focusing exclusively on software.
- The GitHub Archive Program is a notable initiative preserving open-source software for long-term access.
- Preserved software includes both open-source and proprietary systems, ensuring broad accessibility.
- Software preservation efforts often involve collaboration between developers, researchers, and archivists.
- Preserved software can serve as a resource for historical research, educational purposes, and ongoing development.

## Body
### Definition and Scope
Software preservation is the formal endeavor to ensure that software of continuing value remains accessible, trustworthy, and usable over time. It is a specialized branch of digital preservation, focusing on the unique challenges of maintaining software functionality, documentation, and compatibility.

### Key Initiatives
The GitHub Archive Program, launched in 2019, is a prominent initiative preserving open-source software for future generations. The program archives software in physical storage, such as the Arctic World Archive, to ensure long-term preservation.

### Preservation Methods
Software preservation involves digital archiving, physical storage, and documentation efforts. Digital archives store software in repositories, while physical storage ensures resilience against digital decay. Documentation ensures that software remains understandable and usable despite technological changes.

### Importance of Preservation
Preserving software is essential for maintaining access to valuable tools, supporting research, and ensuring the continuity of digital knowledge. Without preservation, software could become obsolete or inaccessible, hindering future development and historical research.

### Future Challenges
Software preservation faces challenges such as technological obsolescence, the need for ongoing maintenance, and the complexity of preserving proprietary software. However, initiatives like the GitHub Archive Program demonstrate the importance of proactive preservation efforts.