Software sustainability is the the capacity of the software to
endure. In other words, sustainability means that the software
will continue to be available in the future, on new platforms,
meeting new needs.
This means it's easy to evolve and maintain,
fulfils its intent over time,
survives uncertainty,
and addresses relevant concerns
(Political, Economic, Social, Technical, Legal, Environmental).
A software sustainability initiative is an organisation or team
undertaking activities to improve software sustainability in the
wider community (that is, outside of their local project or group).
Those activities might include consultancy and development,
training, workshops and events, dissemination and outreach, or
advocacy.
We are focussed on research software: specialist software which is
used in research.
The Software Sustainability Alliance is an effort started by existing software sustainability initiatives worldwide to work together and support each other. It is a working group of WSSSPE.
Our mission is to act as the bridge between organisations from around the world, in order to share expertise, resources, and good practices around sustainability of software used in research.
Our vision is of an international alliance of organisations engaging successfully in coordinated and collaborative mutually reinforcing activities around sustainability of software used in research.
We are at the early stages of defining the aims, scope and governance of the Software Sustainability Alliance. If you are someone working in the research software community: