What is Open source?
The term ‘ open source ‘ refers to something people can alter and share because its design can be access by anyone.
Open source refers to a program in which the source code is available to the general public for use and/or modification from its original design free of charge. Open-source software’s source code can be alter by anyone. Source code is the portion of software programming that computer user can’t see.
What is Open source software?
Open source software (OSS) is software having source code that anybody can inspect, alter and enhance.
Open source software (OSS) is computer software spread out with its source code available for modification. The software normally includes a license for programmers to change the software in any way they choose. They can fix errors, improve functions, or adapt the software to suit their own needs.
“Source code” is the part of software that almost all computer users never see it. It is the code computer programmers can modify to change how a piece of software it may be an application or a program how it functions. Developers or Programmers who have permissions to change a computer program’s source code can improve that program by removing part of code which don’t work correctly or adding features to it.
see also : 15 free open-source Operating System for IoT Development
What is Close source or Proprietor Software?
Some software has source code which have restrictions to modify the source code. Only the authorized team, organization or person has right to modify the source code. This kind of software is termed as “proprietary” or “closed source” software.
Some examples of Proprietor software are :- Adobe Photoshop ,Microsoft Office, Microsoft Windows 7/8/10 ,etc. are Proprietor software (i.e. user cannot see source code ).
What’s the difference between open-source software and other types of software?
Some software has source code which have restrictions to modify the source code. Only the authorized team, organization or person has right to modify the source code. This kind of software is termed as “proprietary” or “closed source” software.
Only the primary authors of proprietary software can lawfully copy, scrutinize, and modify that software. And in order to utilize proprietary software, one has to agree (usually by agreeing their terms & conditions listed when you for the first time run this software) that they will not do anything to the software that the author has not given any permission to modify it.
Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office are examples of proprietary software.
Open-source software is different as it allows other programmers to alter, copy, view, share and learn the source code. Anyone can make changes and use it without the authors consent. Examples of open-source software are LibreOffice and the GNU Image Manipulation Program, etc.
Open-source licenses has an impact the way people can use, modify, study and distribute software. In short, open source licenses allow computer users permit to use open-source software for whatever purpose they wish.
By design, open-source software licenses encourage collaboration and sharing as they permit other people to make modifications to source code and incorporate those changes into their own projects. The community of open-source encourage programmers to modify, access and view open source software whenever they like, as long as they share their work and let others do the same.
Popular Types of Open-Source Software:
Open source technologies helped establish much of the internet.
Many of the programs and software use by everyone are based on open-source technologies. For example, Android Operating System and Apple’s Operating System X are establish on the kernel and Unix/BSD open-source technologies, respectively.
Other popular open-source software are as follows:
- Python programming language
- Mozilla’s Firefox web browser
- Database system
- PHPscripting language
- Apache HTTP web server
- Thunderbird email client
Why do people prefer Open Source Software compare to Proprietor software?
Full control and Freedom: With open-source software (OSS) users can control the software and examine the code to make sure it’s not doing anything they don’t want it to do, and change parts of it they don’t like . Users who knows programming can make changes the software according to own requirements. The user not only access open source software, but also controls and modified to it.
They have more control over that kind of software. Users who have not done programming also gain from open source software, because they can use this software for their use.
Quality: In open-source family there are innumerous developers and users working to make better the security, suggest many innovating features. User also connect closely to the development of open source software so developer can do anything they want. The open source platform gives unstoppable and innovative software.
Flexibility: Open source software required less resource, meaning that you can run it on older hardware. Because of large open source community bugs in open source software also tend to get fixed immediately. When the user uses the platform software like Microsoft Windows and Office, these are required to keep upgrading both software and user have to totally depend on Proprietor here Microsoft for software upgradation and bug fixing
Stability: When important, long-term projects comes in action most of people prefer open source software compare to proprietor software ,because programmers publicly distribute the source code for open source software, users depending on particular software for critical tasks can be certain their tools won’t disappear or fall into in need of repair if their original creators stop functioning on them. Open source software manage to run to both incorporate and operate according to open standards.
Seurity: Open source software is more secure than other closed source software. Open source is a big community like Red Hat Security response team and many other larger projects (for example, Apache, Mozilla) have their own security response teams that’s improves software security. Anyone can view and modify open source software, someone might spot and correct errors or omissions that a program’s original authors might have missed and bug get fix early as compare to Proprietor software.
The advantage of using an open source Linux distribution is that security features are very amazing with Linux Firewall option.
Support Options: Open-source makes a worldwide community of developers and user, where you can discuss all doubts. Open source software’s carry a big community, which is free to share their suggestions and tricks. Almost all Linux distributions have their own online community and forums like ClearOS, Ubuntu, openSUSE, etc.
Learning and Training: Most people like open source software because it helps them become better programmers. In open source software code is publicly accessible, students can easily study it as they learn to make better software.
see also : 15 free open-source Operating System for IoT Development
Doesn’t ‘ open-source ‘ just mean something is free of charge?
No. This is a common misconception about what “open source” implies, and the concept’s implications are not only economic.
Programmers who build Open-source software can charge money for the open-source software they create or to which they contribute by adding in source code or else.
As per an open-source license, they might require them to release their source code when they sell software to others, But in some cases, programmer’s charge money for software services and support to user rather than for the software itself is more gainful to both programmer and user. In this way, their software remains free of charge, and they earn money by helping others install, use, and troubleshoot it.
When we considering Open-source software, which cost zero but skill in programming and troubleshooting open source software is quite valuable.
Many employers specifically seek to hire programmers with experience working on open source software.
see also : 15 free open-source Operating System for IoT Development
Conclusion :
Hundreds of open-source projects are alternatives to one proprietary software. Study on an OSS project as a footpath to building a career in software development. In addition, programmers can master their skills by working on the biggest software programs in the world.
Google, LinkedIn and Facebook release software as Open-Source , so developers can innovate solutions, share knowledge and add to stable, practical products.
Where can I learn more about open source?
open-source FAQs, how-to guides, and tutorials by Opensource.com
References:
OpenSource.com : What is Open-source ?
Wikipedia : Open-Source Software
TheBalance : What is Open-Source Software
