Design Principles¶

(Work in progress)

• All Arvados core components are free software.
• Any application can run on Arvados, including non-free tools that are only available as binaries. Even when source code is available, use unmodified vendor distributions with wrapper scripts, rather than building derivative works.
• Use web technologies to tie components together, so programs can access Arvados regardless of programming language or framework.
• Use the best tool, programming language, or framework for each component, instead of standardizing on a single platform for the sake of conformity.
• Where possible, use established, widely understood components such as ssh, git, and slurm rather than hand rolling custom components.
• Use Debian GNU/Linux as the primary supported deployment platform to maximize performance and ease of development.
• Use technologies such as virtualization and Linux containers to increase portability and flexibility of deployment.