# DCS

## What is a DCS?

A _Demonstrable Competence Set_ (DCS) is a set of attributes we look for in
a student's package which indicate that the student is able to develop
quality software of the type on which the course is focused.

## How is the DCS assessed?

Once the code is confirmed to be functionally correct,
the mentor reads the student's code to identify any attributes which conflict
with the DCS.

## Can I see the DCS?

Certainly! In fact, it's a good idea to take a close look at the DCS when you feel that
you've completed a course's package. Because the courses focus on different technologies
and coding principles, the DCS is different for each course. See the links below.

## What are the DCS dates for?

Like a course, a DCS is a living document. As a course expands and industry requirements
change, the DCS is updated to reflect these changes. The date of a student's certification
indicates the DCS against which their software was assessed.

* * *

# Evidence of Competency

## What is Evidence of Competency?

Evidence of Competency (EoC) is a statement that the tutor-bot
has run and parsed the code of all the exercises in the course, and assessed
it as correct. You'll receive a statement like
[this](/content/eoc/perl-essentials/example/index.html) which is
the first step toward certification.

## How do I get an EoC?

At the end of every week we collate data from the tutor-bot. If you've
completed every exercise of the course, you'll get an email with a link
to your EoC.

## Is it really free?

Yes - because the tutor-bot does all the hard work, there's no extra charge.

* * *

# Package

## What is a package?

For our purposes, a _package_ is an application,
its configuration files and its documentation in a form whereby
its target audience is able to use and maintain it. The
detailed explanation of these requirements can be found in
the [DCS](/content/certification/terminology#dcs/index.html).

## How do I submit a package for assessment?

Just create a tarball from the directory of your project
and leave it in the home directory of your eBox.