Open Source Software (OSS) is a computer software which is developed and distributed openly. The development can be undertaken by individuals, groups or communities, organizations,companies,educational institutions and all sorts of other combinations of developers.
The basic principles of Open Source Software are controlled by a number of different license types:
GPL - gnu General Public License - which, in very brief summary, says that the source code of the software must be made available, can be changed by anyone, provided that all copyright notices are left intact and that any on-provision of those modifications is covered by the same license;
BSD - Berkeley Software Distribution License - which, in brief summary, is very similar to the GPL license except that you do not need to on-provide the source code.
MPL - Mozilla Public License - which, in again brief summary, is similar to GPL but it allows redistribution of executable under separate license - so if you make a modification or a special version of a system you are able to distribute that in executable form only - but the devil is very much in the detail here big grin
There are many many more license types within the Open Source world.
But, Open Source Software does not automatically imply "Free". Many valid and excellent Open Source projects ask an initial purchase price for their software - but, depending upon the license they are operating under, they may distribute that software with the Source Code so that you can then add to, enhance, or modify the software to suit your requirements - as long as you stick to the terms established in the original license.
Ultimately, all of this has a revolutionary effect on the software and the availability of software components for developing your own programs.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and migration costs are lower, licensing costs and tracking are eliminated, your software is more likely to be secure, stable, future-proof - its better no matter the angle!
The basic principles of Open Source Software are controlled by a number of different license types:
GPL - gnu General Public License - which, in very brief summary, says that the source code of the software must be made available, can be changed by anyone, provided that all copyright notices are left intact and that any on-provision of those modifications is covered by the same license;
BSD - Berkeley Software Distribution License - which, in brief summary, is very similar to the GPL license except that you do not need to on-provide the source code.
MPL - Mozilla Public License - which, in again brief summary, is similar to GPL but it allows redistribution of executable under separate license - so if you make a modification or a special version of a system you are able to distribute that in executable form only - but the devil is very much in the detail here big grin
There are many many more license types within the Open Source world.
But, Open Source Software does not automatically imply "Free". Many valid and excellent Open Source projects ask an initial purchase price for their software - but, depending upon the license they are operating under, they may distribute that software with the Source Code so that you can then add to, enhance, or modify the software to suit your requirements - as long as you stick to the terms established in the original license.
Ultimately, all of this has a revolutionary effect on the software and the availability of software components for developing your own programs.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and migration costs are lower, licensing costs and tracking are eliminated, your software is more likely to be secure, stable, future-proof - its better no matter the angle!
