Benevolent Dictator for Life (BDFL) is a title given to a small number of open-source software development leaders, typically project founders who retain the final say in disputes or arguments within the community.
The coinage originated in 1995 with reference to Guido van Rossum, creator of the Python programming language.
Shortly after van Rossum joined the Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI), it appeared in a follow-up mail by Ken Manheimer to a meeting trying to create a semi-formal group that would oversee Python development and workshops.
BDFL should not be confused...