Vaccargiu, M;
Neykova, R;
Novielli, N;
Ortu, M;
Destefanis, G;
(2025)
More Than Code: Technical and Emotional Dynamics in Solidity’s Development.
In:
Proceedings 2025 IEEE ACM 18th International Conference on Cooperative and Human Aspects of Software Engineering Chase 2025.
(pp. pp. 260-271).
IEEE
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Abstract
Background: Solidity is the primary programming language used for developing smart contracts on Ethereum, representing a new generation of programming languages developed entirely in open environments. Objective: This longitudinal case study examines contribution patterns and emotional dynamics within the Solidity GitHub repository over a ten-year period (2014-2024). Method: We developed a contribution index combining metrics from developer activities (commits, pull requests, comments, and temporal engagement) and applied emotion detection to study communication patterns in a decade-long dataset of developer interactions. Results: The top 1% of contributors are responsible for around 85% of project contributions, yet the project exhibits dual paths to prominence: early contributors established technical foundations through code, while later contributors achieved influence through reviews and discussions. Emotional patterns show transitions from initial curiosity and confusion to eventual approval and gratitude. Conclusion: The project’s recognition of diverse contribution types and evolving emotional dynamics enables sustainable growth despite concentrated contributions, demonstrating how open-source languages can evolve while maintaining both technical rigor and community engagement.
| Type: | Proceedings paper |
|---|---|
| Title: | More Than Code: Technical and Emotional Dynamics in Solidity’s Development |
| Event: | 2025 IEEE/ACM 18th International Conference on Cooperative and Human Aspects of Software Engineering (CHASE) |
| Dates: | 27 Apr 2025 - 28 Apr 2025 |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1109/CHASE66643.2025.00036 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1109/chase66643.2025.00036 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Programming language, emotions, oss, human aspects |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Computer Science |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10213513 |
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