FAIRsharing record for: FAIR Principles for Research Software - A2. Metadata are accessible, even when the software is no longer available

This FAIRsharing record describes: 'A2. Metadata are accessible, even when the software is no longer available' first acknowledges that the availability of software may change over time, because there is a cost to maintaining access or because the software has degraded and is no longer safely usable, or because dependencies are no longer available. A2 then states that the metadata describing the software should remain accessible as it is generally easier and cheaper to store and maintain than the software itself (e.g., in the software repository, or in a software registry or catalog) and there is value in understanding the details of the software even if it is no longer accessible.