What is Open Source Software?

Software that is publicly available, modifiable, and redistributable is referred to as open source software. Open source culture encourages developers to share their software code openly, enabling other developers to collaborate and work with the source code.

From the 1950s and 1960s, when computers became part of our lives, to the 1970s, sharing software code was a standard practice. In 1974, software code was recognized as a product eligible for copyright protection, leading to the establishment of the Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works (CONTU). This marked the rise of proprietary software.

As proprietary software gained traction, a group of developers, mostly academics, continued sharing their code openly. In 1983, Richard Stallman launched the free software movement, emphasizing the need for software freedom. He founded the Free Software Foundation in 1985 and introduced the General Public License (GPL), a free software license.

By the late 1990s, Eric S. Raymond's essay “The Cathedral and the Bazaar” compared proprietary software development with the free software movement. Around the same time, Netscape shared the Mozilla browser as open source, initiating the open source movement. Today, the concepts of free software and open source software often overlap. Free software prioritizes freedom, avoiding restrictions, and values ideals over economic gain. All free software is open source, but not all open source software qualifies as free software due to potential restrictions defined by their licenses.

Characteristics of Open Source Software

Open source software can be modified and developed as desired. It can be redistributed within the permissions granted by its license. Open source software has a community of developers and users who collaborate and exchange information to continuously improve the software.

Particularly in organizations, open source software is preferred due to its free usage, allowing cost reductions and enabling the reallocation of savings to other areas.

Open source software is secure. Since its source code is publicly accessible, it is reviewed by a large number of developers. Bugs are identified quickly, and malicious code is prevented from being included in the software. In this respect, open source software provides security.

What Are the Advantages of Open Source Software?

Open source software offers numerous advantages, with its free usage being one of the most frequently mentioned benefits. However, there are many additional advantages as well:

• Open source software does not require licensing fees.
• It can be modified to meet specific needs and tailored for particular purposes.
• Depending on the license, open source software can be used as part of other developed software, redistributed, and even monetized.
• The visibility of the source code enhances security. A large number of developers working on the software makes it easier to detect and resolve issues quickly.
• Open source software supported by a community is continually improved. New technologies and features can be integrated into the software in a short time.
• Open source software helps developers build their own applications. Especially for beginners, it offers the opportunity to study and learn from existing code.

What Are the Disadvantages of Open Source Software?

Along with its advantages, open source software also has some disadvantages. One of the most significant is the potential lack of support when needed.

• Over time, open source software may lose community support, and developers may stop maintaining the software.
• Community support may not always be available for resolving encountered problems.
• Modifications or improvements to the software may require skilled developers.
• Open source software may have limited compatibility with certain hardware.
• User interfaces and overall user experience are often less refined.
• Open source software does not provide any warranties or accept responsibility for its use.

Open Source Software Licenses

Although open source software is publicly available, it is still governed by intellectual property licenses. Open source software licenses are generally divided into two categories: Copyleft and Permissive.

The concept of copyleft was defined by Richard Stallman in the mid-1980s. It states that free software can be used, modified, and redistributed by anyone. However, it also mandates that any redistributed software must remain free software. The term copyleft emerged later as the opposite of copyright. Examples of copyleft licenses include the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL) and the Mozilla Public License (MPL).

Permissive licenses allow modification and redistribution as long as the copyright notice and license text are included. Actions must adhere to the limitations specified by the software's license. Popular permissive licenses include BSD, MIT, and Apache licenses.

Examples of popular Open Source Software Licenses:

GNU General Public License (GNU GPL)

The GNU GPL is one of the most widely used free software licenses. Its first version was created by Richard Stallman in the late 1980s. Software under the GPL license can be used, modified, and redistributed without restrictions. Additionally, software derived from GPL-licensed source code can be sold for profit. However, one condition must be met: the redistributed software must also remain open source. Examples of software distributed under the GPL include the Linux kernel, WordPress, and Joomla content management systems.

Mozilla Public License (MPL)

Initially created by Netscape employee Mitchell Baker, the MPL is a copyleft license. It aims to address concerns of both open source and proprietary software developers, serving as a middle ground between GPL and BSD-style licenses. Software like Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird, developed by the Mozilla Foundation, are distributed under the MPL.

MIT License

The MIT License, created by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is one of the most popular permissive software licenses. While similar to the GPL, it imposes fewer restrictions on the use of source code. Open source code under the MIT License can be freely modified and redistributed, even in closed-source projects. However, the copyright notice for the original MIT-licensed code must be included. Examples include frameworks like Angular and Ember.js, and game engines like Godot and Cocos2d.

Apache License

Published by the Apache Software Foundation (ASF), this license permits modification and redistribution of software. While there is no obligation to use the same license for redistributed software, the use of Apache-licensed code must be acknowledged. Examples of software under the Apache License include the Apache HTTP Server, OpenOffice, and the Android operating system.

BSD License

Another popular permissive license is the BSD License. It allows unrestricted use, modification, and redistribution of source code. Unlike copyleft licenses, software created with BSD-licensed code does not have to remain open source. There are different versions of the BSD License. Examples include the FreeBSD operating system and the Django web framework.

What Are the Differences Between Open Source and Other Software Types?

As previously mentioned, software that allows its source code to be viewed, modified, and redistributed according to its licensing terms is referred to as open source software. On the other hand, there are software types where the code is considered proprietary, owned by the developing company or individual. These are referred to as closed source or proprietary software. The differences between open source and closed source software are significant:

Open source software’s code can be viewed, modified, and redistributed by anyone. In contrast, closed source software’s code is accessible only to the developers and cannot be modified by end users. The software is considered private property of the company or group that developed it.

Open source software can be customized to suit specific needs and have new features added. With closed source software, any required modifications must be requested from the developers.

Licensing fees for closed source software can impose a significant financial burden, especially for small businesses. Open source software, however, is free to use without licensing costs.

Closed source software is often designed with marketing and end-user satisfaction in mind, offering user-friendly interfaces and polished user experiences. Open source software may initially lack these refinements, but as its usage and community support grow, improvements in interface and user experience can be made.

One major reason companies prefer closed source software is the availability of professional support during its use. Open source software, on the other hand, relies on community support. The larger the community supporting an open source project, the easier it is to find assistance. Additionally, many open source software developers offer professional support services, creating revenue models for their projects.

Security is another critical consideration when choosing between open source and closed source software. The publicly visible source code of open source software allows for rapid identification and resolution of vulnerabilities, protecting against malicious code. In contrast, closed source software vendors are responsible for ensuring its security, addressing potential bugs, and resolving vulnerabilities quickly.

What Are Examples of Open Source Software?

Contrary to popular belief, open source software is widely used. Some of the most well-known examples include:

• Mozilla Firefox
• Linux Operating System
• Android Operating System
• VLC Player
• LibreOffice
• Visual Studio Code
• Blender
• WordPress

You can also gain valuable experience in your software development career by contributing to open source projects. Additionally, you can showcase your skills by participating in hackathon programs organized by Techcareer.net. When you feel ready, explore job opportunities that match your profile on the Techcareer.net job listings page.