Only the original authors of proprietary software can legally copy, inspect, and alter that software. And in order to use proprietary software, computer users must agree usually by signing a license displayed the first time they run this software that they will not do anything with the software that the software's authors have not expressly permitted. Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop are examples of proprietary software.
Open source software is different. Its authors make its source code available to others who would like to view that code, copy it, learn from it, alter it, or share it. As they do with proprietary software, users must accept the terms of a license when they use open source software—but the legal terms of open source licenses differ dramatically from those of proprietary licenses.
Open source licenses affect the way people can use, study, modify, and distribute software. In general, open source licenses grant computer users permission to use open source software for any purpose they wish.
Some open source licenses—what some people call "copyleft" licenses—stipulate that anyone who releases a modified open source program must also release the source code for that program alongside it.
Moreover, some open source licenses stipulate that anyone who alters and shares a program with others must also share that program's source code without charging a licensing fee for it. By design, open source software licenses promote collaboration and sharing because they permit other people to make modifications to source code and incorporate those changes into their own projects.
They encourage computer programmers to access, view, and modify open source software whenever they like, as long as they let others do the same when they share their work.
Open source technology and open source thinking both benefit programmers and non-programmers. Because early inventors built much of the Internet itself on open source technologies—like the Linux operating system and the Apache Web server application —anyone using the Internet today benefits from open source software. Every time computer users view web pages, check email, chat with friends, stream music online, or play multiplayer video games, their computers, mobile phones, or gaming consoles connect to a global network of computers using open source software to route and transmit their data to the "local" devices they have in front of them.
The computers that do all this important work are typically located in faraway places that users don't actually see or can't physically access—which is why some people call these computers "remote computers. More and more, people rely on remote computers when performing tasks they might otherwise perform on their local devices. For example, they may use online word processing, email management, and image editing software that they don't install and run on their personal computers.
Instead, they simply access these programs on remote computers by using a Web browser or mobile phone application. When they do this, they're engaged in "remote computing. Some people call remote computing "cloud computing," because it involves activities like storing files, sharing photos, or watching videos that incorporate not only local devices but also a global network of remote computers that form an "atmosphere" around them.
Cloud computing is an increasingly important aspect of everyday life with Internet-connected devices. Some cloud computing applications, like Google Apps, are proprietary. Others, like ownCloud and Nextcloud , are open source. However, with OSS, community members have open access to the source code and are able to use it in any way they see fit.
Freedom with the source code allows developers to create unique solutions, which can then be built upon by other members of the community. This process of crowdsourcing allows for development shops to pull beyond the talents of their teams, and access a repository of information compiled by the community at large. Crowdsourcing also facilitates a constant process of peer review. Without proprietary software restrictions, developers in the open-source community are constantly reviewing code, building improvements, and closing gaps in security.
This process also holds community members accountable for their contributions, and cuts down on the time it takes to push out an update. OSS is built upon a talented pool of developers that value community and the open exchange of information. The open-source community is committed to updating and enhancing OSS so that it empowers developers with the flexibility and freedom to create more valuable projects.
This post was originally published on May 18, and has been updated for accuracy and freshness. July 12, Although this type of license affords the developer more freedom, many supporters of the open source philosophy feel this goes against the ethos of the initiative.
We often hear open source software used interchangeably with free license software. The two are mostly similar, although the OSS criteria issued by the Open Source Initiative came almost ten years after the free licence software, and places a greater emphasis on modifications to the software.
A common misconception is that free license software or open source software refers to the price, and are therefore free. Many people, both individuals and companies, prefer to use open source software over propriety or commercial software.
There are a number of reasons for this, including:. While the benefits of open source software are considerable, there are a few drawbacks to consider:. Technology is continually evolving, updating and adapting to better fit our daily needs. Why, then, did Google make Tensorflow open source in ? The simple answer is that more heads together equals more progress.
They hoped that by opening up the table to other developers, they could create software better suited to their needs. More than 1, external developers have now worked on TensorFlow. By putting the code out in the open, Google has ensured that they can profit from better software which will continue to evolve. Opening the software up to the public also provides good promotion.
When Google released its TensorFlow, it sparked significant interest in the software, now used by the likes of Dropbox and Airbnb. All in all, contributing to open source software has mutual benefits for all the parties involved, making sure nobody misses out on the latest improvements. The critical thing to remember is that each company manipulates the source code for their own uses.
The open-source development model encourages open collaboration, driven by peer production, benefitting millions of users worldwide. When software was in its early youth, it was commonplace to share software and source code, particularly in universities or research organisations.
However, in , the U. Software, therefore, gained the same status as literary works, which kickstarted the licensing of software. This change took away from the collaboration that many software developers had been enjoying.
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