MODULEAUTHOR

MODULEAUTHOR is a metadata tag used in modular software systems to identify the primary author or maintainer of a module. It is used to attribute responsibility, support provenance, and facilitate contact for updates, bug reports, or licensing questions. While not a universal standard, MODULEAUTHOR appears in several manifest and descriptor formats within plugin architectures, component libraries, and package ecosystems that separate modules from their host applications.

The field typically stores a string containing the author's name and, optionally, additional contact or organizational information. Common formats include "Name", "Name <email>", or "Name (Affiliation) <email>". In some ecosystems, it is represented as a structured key-value pair such as ModuleAuthor: Name <email> (Affiliation). MODULEAUTHOR is commonly read by tooling that assembles documentation, enforces attribution, or routes issues to the responsible developer.

Placement and compatibility: MODULEAUTHOR is usually defined in a module's metadata file alongside other fields such as version, dependencies, and license. Because it is not universally standardized, its exact syntax and handling vary by project. In environments that distinguish author from maintainer, MODULEAUTHOR may denote the primary creator rather than the current maintainer.

Best practices: provide a stable contact method, prefer professional or organizational addresses, and avoid leaking sensitive personal data. Keep the value up to date to reflect changes in authorship or affiliation.