Open Source Software Definition explained, Advantages, types, examples and Free Download
Every program has a source code. It is this aspect of the application that defines the outlook or appearance of the program and how it works.
This includes the font style, size, and color. It also includes additional software features of the program and what makes the program tick.
Computer and mobile devices programmers need the source if they intend to change a program. Indeed, the source code is very important to the nature and purpose of a program.
What is Open Source Software definition, is it free?
The source code concept is fundamental to the definition of an Open Source Software, what is and what is not.
By definition, an Open Sourcing Software is any application whose source code is accessible to the general public for free. Or at least a small controlled group of people that usually include programmers. It doesn’t mean that the program is free. So it is a open source code and software freedom.
There is a reason why the source is accessible for public viewing. It is modification, and sharing.
Open-Source is also to ensure that the program is acceptable to its target users. Creators of open-source or non proprietary software do this to give their programs more credibility.
The more that check the source, the better it would be at the end of the day. When you allow other creative programmers to have access to the source code, you can fix bugs in the application. Those little glitches in the program can be fixed and it will run without bugs.
Definition of Proprietary Closed Source Software
Not all applications are open. You also have «Proprietary software» or otherwise called «Closed Source Softwares» and business software. These computer programs are only for an exclusive group of coders. Usually only the creators themselves. The idea is to have complete control over the source code and they have a vendor lock in.
Who want access to the source code in a Proprietary Software need authors permission, it is not open-source software.
What differences exist between Open Source and Proprietary Closed Source Software?
We have two type of software: open category of software and proprietary.
Open source VS Proprietary
There are obvious legal issues when it comes to Proprietary Software. With this program, the originators of the program are the ONLY ones legally allowed to:
check,
change,
copy,
and share the source.
If any one intends using a Proprietary Software for the first time, he would have to sign a license agreement. It is that lengthy text that we are all guilty of NOT reading. But instead we skip to and click on the «Agree» box.
Well, in that «lengthy text», you agree NOT to tamper with it in any way without the express authorization of the authors.
When using open source software programs you can modified it without permission. They have and open source development model.
Examples types list
Typical examples of Proprietary programs to name a few include AutoDesk’s, Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office Suite.But, when it comes to non proprietary, it is a different situation. Open source software types examples include this from the list:
Redhat is a open source operating system. Red hat is the largest company in open source projects and products.
LibreOffice: Libreoffice is an example
the GNU Image Manipulation Program
Apache web server
Animation
Arquitecture
Floor plan
forum
budgeting
Collaboration
Invoice
Library
Mapping
Monitoring
Payroll,
security,
survey
Tax
Management:
Project Manager,
Inventory management
Asset management
PDF reader,
Music,
Security camera
3d modelling
Dashboard
recovery
design
database
drawing,
Encryption
Flowchart and diagram,
Mind mapping,
Nas,
Ocr,
Digital signage
Drone
Office
Recording
Statistical
Transcription
Video conferencing
gis,
Facial recognition,
Help desk,
Scanning
Scheduling:
Employee scheduling
Wiki
3d printer
CAD,
Video editing: Avidemux, Openshot, Shotcut.
Accounting
ip camera,
webcam
router
Operating systems
And some antivirus
These are typical examples of Open Sourcing Software.
You can have access to the source code of these applications and you can view, copy, change, learn, and even share the code
Types of licenses
These are some types of licenses some are the open source software licenses and other proprietary licenses.
GPL – GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
An example of an Open licensed sources is the GPL or GNU General Public License part of the open source software movement.
This consists of several free software licenses. It assures and allows users to run, inspect, study, copy,changey, and share the software. An open source project may have GNU.
This open source license currently is in its third version (since 2007). It aims to offer free software that must be distributed to third parties maintaining the level of appropriation.
In practice requires that if you change the system, and want to market it (or simply distribute it) , it must be under the same license. So it is not valid a more restrictive or proprietary one.
It is one of the most widely used licenses. And they have given birth to projects that maintain the essence of their predecessors. It allow them to continue evolving at the expense of their initial creators.
LGPL – GNU REDUCED GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
Another name is a reduced GPL, LGPL. It is a type of license that allows part of the code to be used in projects regardless of their type. Also, it allows starting from a free software project to one that is proprietary, for example.
It is usually used in libraries, or applications of the most diverse nature to include in external projects.
AGPL – AFFERO GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
It is in turn based on the previous one, but it is intended for those projects that are expected to be collaborative online, since the distribution of code on demand by networks is allowed.
FDL – GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE OF DOCUMENTATION
It is the fourth pillar on which the Free Software Foundation licenses are based. It is used for the predictably technical documentation of free open software. Part of the free software movement and open software movement.
BSD LICENSE – BERKELEY SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTION LICENSE
Originally born for the BSD operating system.
Basically it opens the closure to any type of modification and redistribution. As long as it is done with a different name.
ALTERNATIVES
The 5 licenses exposed above are not the only alternatives we have.
Apache License: It allows derivative works to be distributed with the desired license,
The MIT license, which uses this prestigious university. It resembles the BSD, allowing to change what you want as long as it is made clear.
Apple (yes, that company that sells proprietary hardware and software) also has its own free license. It is the Apple Public Source License.
Microsoft also has its own, Ms-PL – Microsoft Public License, and so on.
But the most «free» of all is the WTFPL – Do What The Fuck You Want To Public License (it does just that).
You can use any software with WTFPL license. Also change and distribute as you like, without further ado.
License agreement
With Open Sourcing Software, you still have to «Agree» to the license agreement. But, the terms and conditions are different from Proprietary. You are granted access to the code of the application.
With some you also have a «Copyleft License». What this license agreement entails is the following. When a computer user modifies the source code of a program, they have to agree to allow other users to also view, learn, copy, change, and share their modified source code.
Users who modify the source code of these open programs are usually NOT permitted to charge licensing fees to other computer users who intend viewing, copying, altering, and sharing the source.
Programmers of open Softwares may charge fees to users for support and other services. Examples are troubleshooting, installation, and general use).
This will be viewed as being more lucrative than say – selling a modified software.
This is especially true if the license agreement entails that such programmers have to make the code available to the general public (open).
In such a situation, it would make little sense for the programmer to sell their modified code. This is because the code will not be under their exclusive control.
So the software itself will be free-of-charge. But, if a user needs some support, then the programmer can charge the user a fee before rendering their help.
But, if a Proprietary program is NOT FREE, then whether you are a programmer or a regular user, you have to buy it. The author(s) makes money from the actual sale of their software.
Based on the reviews and feedback they get from both regular users and other programmers. These authors may then decide to modify the source code of their software. It can be either by themselves or by hiring other to assist.
Advantages, pros and benefits
These are some advantages and benefits a about source open.
Is it a preferred option? Yes! Many people prefer Open to Proprietary for many of genuine reasons.
For starters, programmers love the fact that they can alter the code in any way they deem fit. But, computer users would be happy that the application is far from the finished. And they can do modifications to suit their peculiar needs.
Below are some other reasons why non proprietary are a preferred option for non and computer programmers.
#1: A Sense of Community:
With these open software people with similar interests tend to get drawn together. Open Software tend to build communities.
In a open source community the coders will get to:
community collaboration and exchange ideas,
learn from each other,
community development
and improve their programming skills.
The amount of knowledge-base that such open software communities provide can’t be acquired from a classroom.
Non-programmers are not left behind as a build-in community of users can also be formed as a result of the open software. Here users can share their opinions and feedback from using the software. It is in these communities that bugs, glitches, and troubleshooting challenges can also be resolved.
#2: Advanced Knowledge and Training:
Open Source products provide programmers with the opportunity of be in touch with other more talented . With real world, practical examples to work with, they will absorb information quicker than they would under a formal educational setting. As mentioned earlier, communities spring up as a result of the open.
They provide a viable open source learning platform. These coders get training from other more experienced and reputable.
#3: Employment Opportunities:
Open Software provide employment opportunities to programmers who offer their services to users in need of support, installation, general use, and troubleshooting services.
The community of programmers also provides a resource where they get work on other open source projects.
#4: More Control:
When virtually everyone has access to the source code of open source software solutions, it gives them some level of control. You can decide on how the program should run, what should be on it and what shouldn’t.
You get to decide what modifications you want. Also, you get to decide whether to copy, save or share the modifications you have made to the source code.
#5: More Stability:
An Open Source program provide employment opportunities to programmers. They offer their services to users in need of support, installation, general use, and help services.
The community of programmers formed under the source open also provides a resource where they can get employed to work on other open source projects.
If you are working on a very important project with long-term ramifications, then these A source open may be preferable to you.
Users of open software sometimes need the programs to perform some very important tasks. They can rely on coders modifying the source code to meet the future demands of users.
This ensures that the open software remains stable, consistent, and relevant for a very long time. It is because it functions under a standard of regular upgrades and updates by programmers.
#6: Better Security:
With open source softwares, programmers are on the lookout for security bugs, errors, flaws, omissions, and vulnerabilities.
This makes these much more secure than the Proprietary. The commercial software have vulnerabilities that their authors may not be aware of.
A project with source open can only get better. This is because as so many code computer programmers have access to the source code. And they work on making the software better.
Indeed, these open softwares may be the creation of a person or group of people. But everyone is owner, as you can chip in and improve the software.
You can modify the loading speed of the program. You can also work on its interactivity, intuitiveness, and user friendliness.
Also, the layout, appearance, features, and general operation of the open software can get improvement from anyone.
This is what makes them such a preferred option to users and coders.
Disadvantages and cons
There are not many disadvantages or cons. The most important disadvantage if the source is open is that there is not full control of the source code.
Companies
There are many open source companies which are in fact corporate developers. This is a list of some of the open companies which have some open software projects are:
Adobe
Cloudera
Facebok
Github
Google
Huawei
IBM
Intel
Microsoft
Netflix
Where to download the best free open software
You can download it from the following sources:
Sourceforge.net
In the website https://sourceforge.net/ you can find the best open source software and download it. It have these filters:
