A software fork occurs when a developer takes a copy of an existing software project and starts an independent development path, diverging from the original codebase. This may happen due to differences in vision, conflicting priorities, or the desire to implement new features or improvements. Forks can lead to major branches that result in distinct versions of the software, potentially benefiting the community by providing alternative functionalities or addressing shortcomings in the original project. Popular examples include the forks of the Linux kernel and various open-source projects.