The term Open Source refers to something people can modify and share because its design is publicly accessible. Originated in the context of software development to designate a specific approach to creating computer programs. Today, Open source projects, products, or initiatives embrace and celebrate principles of open exchange, collaborative participation, rapid prototyping, transparency, meritocracy, and community-oriented development.
Open source software is software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance. Source code is the part of software that most computer users don’t ever see; it’s the code computer programmers can manipulate to change how a piece of software a program or application works.
A different between with open source software and other types of software is that some software has source code that only the person, team, or organization who created it and maintains exclusive control over it can modify.
People prefer using open source software because they have control, Training, Security, Stability.
Advantages and disadvantages
Open source software is usually easier to obtain than proprietary software, often resulting in increased usage. Additionally, the availability of an open source implementation of a standard can increase adoption of that standard. It has also helped to build developer loyalty as developers feel empowered and have a sense of ownership of the end product.
Moreover, lower costs of marketing and logistical services are needed for OSS. OSS also helps companies keep abreast of technology developments. It is a good tool to promote a company’s image, including its commercial products. The OSS development approach has helped produce reliable, high quality software quickly and inexpensively.
Open source development offers the potential for a more flexible technology and quicker innovation. It is said to be more reliable since it typically has thousands of independent programmers testing and fixing bugs of the software. It
Moreover, free software can be developed in accord with purely technical requirements. It does not require thinking about commercial pressure that often degrades the quality of the software. Commercial pressures make traditional software developers pay more attention to customers’ requirements than to security requirements, since such features are somewhat invisible to the customer.
Info:
https://opensource.com/resources/what-open-source
