What is a Project Fork?

In computing applications, a project fork is a situation where a particular aspect or feature of an established software product is used as the basis for creating a new product that is geared toward applications that are not the focus of the original software. The creation of project forks is a common occurrence, and may take place using open source or free software. There are also examples of a project fork project that came into being by using some aspect of a proprietary software product. Within the process of software engineering, there is the constant development of new software packages that meet a growing range of consumer needs. Often, existing software provides the inspiration for these new products. One or two features of a current software package may form the basis for a new product. In this scenario, it is said that the new software "forked" or branched off of the preexisting software product. The new project fork seeks to enhance the appeal of those borrowed features, ...  more