Most people involved in the world of simulation will have heard about the opensource part of the engineering simulation landscape. The aim of this article is to take a sneak peek into this world and try to understand its whys and hows. The authors have tried to find their way through discussions with open-source software developers and users of the technology.

Let us start by defining what software, for us simulation engineers, is. Software can be defined as a tool that aids in the realisation of our tasks. To not seem as one who shows up empty-handed, one must prepare for a specific project with the right tools. To successfully provide answers to a virtual testing scenario requires having the right tools at hand and being equipped with theoretical knowledge and practical know-how. Theoretical knowledge can be built up at academic institutions while practical-know how comes from experience, often supported by the developers of various software tools. With these points in mind, we dive into the forest of open-source technologies.