Modern scientific and engineering research relies heavily on
computer programs, which analyze experimental data and run
simulations. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find a
scientific paper (outside of pure theory) that didn’t involve
code in some way. Unfortunately, most code written for research
remains closed, even if the code itself is the subject of a
published scientific paper. According to an editorial in Nature,
this hinders reproducibility, a fundamental principle of the
scientific method. Reproducibility refers to the ability to
repeat some work and obtain similar results. It is especially
important when the results are unexpected or appear to defy
accepted theories (for example, the recent faster-than-light
neutrinos). Scientific papers include detailed descriptions of
experimental methods—sometimes down to the specific equipment
used—so that others can independently verify results and build
upon the work. Reproducibility becomes more difficult when
results rely on software. The authors of the