Codes and Software

Proper management of code and software ensures the replicability, reproducibility, and reusability of research experiments and protocols.

Managing Code and Software

Proper management of codes and software ensures the replicability, reproducibility, and reusability of research experiments and protocols. At Aix-Marseille University, responsible management is based on several pillars:

  • Data Management Plan (DMP): a framework document that describes the lifecycle of a project’s data, code, and software. It is required by most funding agencies. AMU offers support for drafting and reviewing these plans, particularly through the SCD and the DMP OPIDoR platform.
  • Life cycle of data, software, and code: from creation to preservation, including processing, documentation, sharing, and archiving. Rigorous planning is necessary at every stage.
  • FAIR Principles: making data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. These principles also apply to software and code to promote their dissemination and interoperability.

Contact

Joint Documentation Service (SCD - BU) - Contact: Codes and Software

archiveouverte@univ-amu.fr

Useful Links

Share and Disseminate

Sharing data, code, and software helps promote research results, strengthen their scientific impact, and encourage open innovation.

Where and how to deposit?

Here is the order of preference for choosing a repository:

  1. A recognized disciplinary repository tailored to your field, offering greater scientific visibility.
  2. AMU’s institutional repository: DAT’AMU, a space dedicated to researchers at Aix-Marseille University, integrated into the national Recherche Data Gouv platform. It ensures local promotion and data traceability within the AMU ecosystem.
  3. A general-purpose or multidisciplinary repository, useful if no disciplinary or institutional repository is suitable.

In any case, to ensure the long-term preservation and quality of your deposits, it is essential to choose a trusted repository—one recommended by the community or institutions—or even a certified repository with CoreTrustSeal accreditation.

Software and source code:

GitHub and GitLab (source code hosting and management), HAL AMU (archiving and distribution of code and software at the institutional and local scientific levels), Software Heritage (international software archiving)

What types of licenses?

  • Data: Opt for open licenses such as Creative Commons (CC BY, CC0) or the Open Database License (ODbL).
  • Code and software: Use appropriate open-source licenses such as the GNU GPL or other recognized licenses (MIT, Apache, etc.).

Support at amU

Aix-Marseille University offers a structured ecosystem, featuring the amU Data Hub (GDsAM)—a certified initiative and single point of contact—to support researchers at every stage of managing, disseminating, and leveraging data, code, and software.

This one-stop shop relies on a network of specialized services:

  • CEDRE for technical support;
  • DAT’AMU, an institutional storage space integrated into the national Recherche.data.gouv platform;
  • SCD for assistance with drafting and reviewing data management plans;
  • the School of Talent Development for training,
  • as well as close collaboration with partners such as MMSH, OpenEdition, DRV, and others, ensuring a synergy of expertise to meet all your needs.

Stakeholders and Infrastructure