Open Source Software

Open Source Software

Open source software is software in which the source code is also available along with the software. Moreover, the users have the right to view, modify, and enhance this code. Furthermore, no license is required for the software. The software can be cost-free or chargeable. besides, the user can also share the software without any license violation. Examples are Android, Linux, Apache Server, Ionic, MySQL, etc. People buy this software due to certain reasons. These reasons are as follows:

• The results are of quite high quality.
• Users can easily change the software according to requirements.
• It is more secure.
• Long term use.
• Transparency.
• Affordable.
• Help in developing skills.

Examples of Open Source Software

1. Operating System

Examples of open source operating system are as follows:

• Linux
• Android
• ReactOS

2. Web Servers

Examples of open source web servers are as follows:

• Apache HTTP Server
• Apache Tomcat
• Lighttpd
• Node.js

3. Database Systems

Examples of open source database systems are as follows:

• MySQL
• SQLite
• Apache Hive
• Maria DB

4. Mobile Development Frameworks

Examples of open source mobile development frameworks are as follows:

• Ionic
• React Native
• Flutter
• Xamarian

5. QA Automation Tools

Examples of open source QA automation tools are as follows:

• Selenium
• Watir

6. Office Software Suites

Examples of open source office software suites are as follows:

• Apache OpenOffice
• Libre Office

7. Content Management Systems

Examples of open source content management systems are as follows:

• WordPress
• Django

Browse more Topics under Open Source Concepts

• Freeware
• Shareware
• Proprietary Software

Advantages of Open Source Software

• Flexibility: Users can make changes in the software as per their needs. Furthermore, a user can add additional features. On the other hand, one can also delete the useless features.
• Stability: A good advantage is that even if the developers of the software stops looking after the software it will not disappear. Since there are many people in the open source community to look after the software. Hence, users can use the software for the long term.
• Security and Reliability: Since several people are developing and enhancing the software. Therefore, software is more secure and reliable.
• Easier Evaluation: As the source code is available. therefore, users can easily view the code. hence, they can understand the bugs and capabilities of the software.
• Better Support: Since, many number of people like developers, companies, and other users are dealing with the software. Hence, it is quite easy to get any kind of technical support.
• Possible Savings: such software usually have a low cost in comparison to other software. Hence they are easily affordable.

Therefore, there are many advantages due to which people make use of open source software in large numbers.

Freeware

Users can use this software without any cost. Furthermore, it does not mean that the source code is also available along with the software. No such right to read or modify the source code is given. Moreover, users cannot distribute this software. We can say that these are closed source software.

The advantages of freeware are as follows:

• Available to users free of cost.
• Distribution is free of cost.

Examples are Adobe PDF, Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, MSN messenger, etc.

Shareware

This software is available free of cost but only up to a certain time limit. Furthermore, after the time limit, the user has to pay the money to use the software. Since, after the time limit, the software deactivates itself. Its main advantage is that users can understand and know about the software before buying it.

Examples are WinZip, Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional, GetRight, etc.

Proprietary Software

It is software that is available only after buying the proper license of the software. moreover, only the owner has the right to change or sell the software. The owner can be an individual developer or an organization. Closed Source Software or Commercial Software is its other name. Besides, it has certain restrictions like:

• The number of people who can use the software is limited.
• Requires a license.
• Users cannot distribute the software further
• The system or type of environment that the software requires.

Examples are macOS, Adobe Suite, Microsoft Windows Professional Edition.

Difference between Open Source Software and Closed Source Software

Open Source Software	Closed Source Software
Source code is available to the users	The source code is not available to the users.
Short-form is OSS.	Short-form is CSS.
The access specifier for OSS is ‘public’.	The access specifier for CSS is ‘private’.
Users can view and modify the source code.	Only the owner of the software can modify or view the source code.
It is less costly.	It is more costly.
All types of developers can provide improvement for the software.	Only the owner or the organization of software can hire developers to improve the code.
A license is not required.	It is compulsory to have a license.
No one is responsible for any failure.	The owner of the software is responsible if anything happens to the software.
Examples are Android, Linux, Apache Server, Ionic, MySQL, etc.	Examples are Skype, Java, Adobe flash, WinRAR, macOS, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Q1. What is open source software?

A1. Open source software is software in which the source code is also available along with the software. Moreover, the users have the right to view, modify, and enhance this code.

Q2. What are the examples of open source software?

A2. Examples are Android, Linux, Apache Server, Ionic, MySQL, etc.

Q3. What are the features of OSS?

A3. The features are as follows:

• The results are of quite high quality.
• Users can easily change the software according to requirements.
• It is more secure.
• Long term use.
• Transparency.
• Affordable.
• Help in developing skills.

Q4. What is freeware?

A4. Freeware is available to users free of cost. Moreover, there are no rights of the user on the source code. Besides, the user cannot distribute the software further.

Q5. What is the difference between open source and closed source software?

A5. The basic difference is that in OSS the source code is available to users along with the software and no license is compulsory. On the other hand, closed source software requires a proper license. Also, the user doesn’t have any right over the source code.