Changes

Application Architecture consists of the interaction of applications with each other and with users. It focuses less on internal mechanics and specific programming and more on overall design on how data is consumed and created by the system. It views the interactions between applications, databases, middleware to ensure scalability, reliability, availability and manageability.

Application Architecture consists of the interaction of applications with each other and with users. It focuses less on internal mechanics and specific programming and more on overall design on how data is consumed and created by the system. It views the interactions between applications, databases, middleware to ensure scalability, reliability, availability and manageability.

==Use Open Standards and Solutions by Default==

==Key Messages==

The [https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=15249#appC Directive on Management of Information Technology] and [https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/digital-government/government-canada-digital-standards.html Digital Standards] states that where possible, open source software be used first, The primary driving factors for this are:

* The Coronavirus disease outbreak and the necessary public health measures to contain its spread can have a negative impact on the mental health of people and communities across Canada, including federal public servants and their families.

* The Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace offers a dedicated online hub on COVID-19 and mental health for public servants, providing timely, curated resources, services and supports. It includes tips and tools on how to take care of your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak and where to get more help if needed.

* Short-term enhancements to the Public Service Health Care Plan have also been made to further support staff at this time. The requirement to have a prescription for psychological services is temporarily suspended, and the scope of qualifying mental health professionals expanded, until non-critical business is authorized to resume or as indicated otherwise.

# Lowering initial and long term Cost of Solutions

* The Government of Canada is steadfast in its ongoing commitment to supporting public servants and their mental health, including when public health measures are eased up and we return back to a new way of working.

Source - <nowiki>https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/campaigns/covid-19/resuming-work/covid-19-business-resumption-communications-toolkit/annexb.html</nowiki>

# Increasing Productivity across Government of Canada by enabling reuse

* '''Where possible, use open source standards, and open source software first'''

** While OSS is not a silver bullet several common misconceptions are used as arguments against Open Source software:

*** A misconception with security is that with the code out of the eyes of the public that it prevents successful attacks and lowers liability, however in reality Security Best practices state that 'System security should not depend on the secrecy of the implementation or its components', and as Open Source development relies n hardening (or improving the security) of code it is often equal or more secure then proprietary solutions.

*** A misconception with support is that a support contract or license some how ensures that the proprietary system will receive improvements and patches, but in reality there is no obligation for a vendor to do so, while Open Source software survives by having a vibrant and helpful support community. Average resolution of issues are solved faster then in proprietary software by the very nature of crowd sourcing reducing the barrier of communication with a single entity or individual.

 

* '''If an open source option is not available or does not meet user needs, favour platform-agnostic COTS over proprietary COTS, avoiding technology dependency, allowing for substitutability and interoperability'''

** Vendor lock is a real concern in the Development of Applications, and when propietary COTS applications are selected it increases the difficulty of ever moving to a new system, and any integration or interoperability functions.

* '''If a custom-built application is the appropriate option, by default any source code written by the government must be released in an open format via Government of Canada website and services designated by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat'''

** It is important to reduce the duplication of effort that has occurred due to segmented mandates, and increase collaboration and sharing across Departments and Agencies. Crown Corporations, Provincial and Municipal Governments as well as the Public at large who can benefit from new and innovative products and services based off of creations from the Government.

** For assistance in how to do this, you can view the[https://github.com/canada-ca/open-source-logiciel-libre/blob/master/en/guides/publishing-open-source-code.md TBS Guidance on Open Source Publishing]

** It is important to ensure that the License chosen for OSS protects the rights of Government of Canada and Public Servants while enabling the use and re-use of software. Guidance can be found [https://github.com/canada-ca/open-source-logiciel-libre/blob/master/en/guides/publishing-open-source-code.md#select-open-source-software-licence here].

** Define Metadata for your application early in both English and French to support your release to https://open.canada.ca/en/open-data

** Development following the [https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/digital-government/modern-emerging-technologies/government-canada-standards-apis.html Government of Canada Standards on APIs] can allow rapid uptake into Open Data feeds.

==Maximize Reuse==

==Maximize Reuse==