Exhibit 16.1

Office of the Chief Accountant
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

April 17, 2002

Dear Sir/Madam:

We have read the first through  third  paragraphs of Item 4 included in the Form
8-K dated  April 17,  2002,  of VA  Software  Corporation  to be filed  with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  and are in agreement  with the  statements
contained therein.

Very truly yours,

/s/Arthur Andersen LLP


CC:  Kathleen R. McElwee
     Vice President and Chief Financial Officer