Why are software projects moving from centralized to decentralized version control systems?

Version control systems are essential for co-ordinating work on a software project. A number of open- and closed-source projects are proposing to move, or have already moved, their source code repositories from a centralized version control system (CVCS) to a decentralized version control system (DVCS). In this paper we summarize the differences between a CVCS and a DVCS, and describe some of the rationales and perceived benefits offered by projects to justify the transition.