One of the conditions of an open source program is continuous improvement so that it can meet all the necessary requirements in the future. This requirement prevents its commercialization and protects the rights of the original author. Distributed software may also have additional conditions imposed by the author, for example, should not be reprogrammed for purposes other than the original ones.
History of the concept
Currently, there are many open source programs of excellent quality: Linux LibreOffice, Firefox, Audacity, WordPress, Emule and others that give an idea of ​​the level of development and relevance of this idea in the world. In each program, hundreds of people around the world work disinterestedly, responsible for improving and updating software.
Timeline of the process:
- January 22, 1998, Netscape announces that it will release source code for Netscape Navigator.
- The term “open source” was coined at a meeting in Palo Alto on February 3, 1998, and the following week, Bruce Perens and Eric Raymond launched the “opensource.org” project.
- On March 31, 1998, the Netscape Navigator code was opened and within a few hours, the first software improvements arrived on the network.
- On May 7, 1998, Corel announces the low-cost Netwinder computer running GNU / Linux.
- May 11, 1998 Corel announces its plans to adapt WordPerfect and the rest of its office software to GNU / Linux.
- On May 28, 1998, Sun Microsystems and Adaptec joined Linux International, the first major open source hardware and operating system vendor.
- July 13-17, 1998, Oracle and Informix announce that they are connecting their databases for GNU / Linux.
- On August 10, 1998, Sun Microsystems launched Solaris, an operating system designed for individuals and educational or nonprofit organizations.
- On November 1, 1998, Microsoft published plans against GNU / Linux and other open source projects.
- December 16, 1998 IDG announces that GNU / Linux's market share increased by 212% in 1998.
- 1-5 in March in 1999 the first Linux World Conference Expo.
- Hewlett-Packard, IBM and SAP are starting support for commercial firms.
- March 15, 1999 Apple launches Darwin under an open source license.
- June 4, 1999 Microsoft agreed that Linux generally sells more licenses than Windows 98.
Between 1998 and 2019, the popularity of GNU / Linux grew significantly, and many companies with OS appeared. This movement has attracted the attention of the software industry by introducing offers from consolidated development companies such as Sun Microsystems with StarOffice and IBM with OpenAFS.
Term open source
The term "open source" continues to be ambiguous, because it is currently used by programmers who do not offer free software, and the source code for revising or modifying them.
With this in mind, the use of the term "Open Source Software" is preferable to refer to programs offered with complete freedom to modify, use and distribute in accordance with an implicit rule not to modify these freedoms in the future. The computer concept in English “Open Source Software” refers to open source software with the permissions of modifications and improvements.
Open Source Software follows a community philosophy that seeks to democratize knowledge through collaborative work between developers from around the world. This initiative aims to introduce innovative technology-related solutions through collaboration, information sharing, process flexibility and cost reduction.
It should be noted that although many OS programs may be available free of charge, it is not necessarily implied as an inherent characteristic that they are all distributed in this way. The term “freedom” makes more allusions to the philosophy of which the community is a part, and less to the price.
Free Software Features
More and more users and companies are integrating OS software in their operations, and this is what many advantages make it a very attractive working tool.
A free term, or freedom, is associated with the following functions:
- Using. You can use the program, regardless of whether it was designed for specific tasks or not.
- Study. The availability of the source code allows us to analyze it more deeply, adapting it to the needs of the user and evaluating the possible improvements that need to be made.
- Spread. Usually found in places of free download and disclosed, without restrictions.
- Open for improvements and innovations. By providing access to the source code, users and programmers from around the world can contribute to collective knowledge and observation, discussion of bugs, and product improvements.
In the business world, there is an increase in software openness, as organizations have realized the benefits that it has, in addition to profitability.
For companies, these benefits are associated with low costs, flexibility, freedom, security, responsibility and the support of a collective working community. It has been shown that this software can be viable in the long run and constantly updated.
Differences Between Freeware
Many users have heard about free software and open source software, but not everyone knows the difference between these terms. In computer environments, these concepts are present in everyday life, because they affect the programs of all electronic devices, such as a computer, tablet or smartphone.
Proprietary software only protects the interests of the company that sells it, and this cannot be changed by external people to meet specific needs. On the contrary, open source software is available to every user and can be changed in accordance with his own requirements.
According to Richard Stallman, founder of the Free Software Movement, “these freedoms are vital not only for the user, but for the whole community, as they foster solidarity. ”Its relevance is increasing as culture and daily activities are increasingly associated with the digital world.”
For educational organizations, the availability of free software is an invaluable advantage, since it allows them to save money on the use of proprietary software. Such programs are vital for those who want to learn how to program, since reading someone else’s code will help them gain new knowledge, problem solving and the learning process.
Open Source Fundamentals
Companies, users and programmers are involved in the continuous study of the program with the clear goal of improving it. Thus, it is possible to carry out an effective process of detecting errors, correcting and introducing new functions. One of the features of the process is the lack of investment, as this does not require the cost of funds to purchase licenses.
The main principles of the platform:
- An open source system reduces barriers to innovation, so that any user can share their ideas on the market. Similarly, when using these programs, it no longer depends on the work of a company exclusively engaged in software maintenance, and can open the door to anyone who has the knowledge and the necessary ability to do this remotely.
- The software has no restrictions on the sale or distribution of the product, their cost is much lower than products with proprietary licenses, and in most cases it is zero.
- The source code is available, so you can change the software without any restrictions, which allows you to create compiled distributions.
- The freedom to improve and publish changes, when everyone has the right to change the source, as well as publish the changes made.
- Using the program is free for any purpose.
- Everyone can freely study how it works and adapt it to the needs of any user.
Platform requirements
In order to understand whether a user is dealing with open source software, one should check whether the software meets the following requirements:
- Using the program for any purpose and without restrictions.
- An opportunity to learn how it works.
- Free distribution of the program.
- Free software change.
The OS software development model is based on knowledge sharing. This is a traditional scheme of scientific fields and that is why it was the original model on which the Internet was developed, as well as the tools TCP / IP, Unix, C.
In a development model, a person or organization coordinates a large community of independent developers distributed throughout the planet. The software can be seen, tested and changed even before the first full version is released.
As users and developers advance in various economic, social and legal conditions, the result becomes more flexible, adaptable and versatile.
Program Examples
On the Internet in the public domain today there are many programs "Open Source Software" with an excellent reputation and performance.
OS Software List:
- Linux is open source. It is a multi-tasking, multi-user system that provides a command and graphical interface. It is also the most famous open source example.
- Apache Openoffice. It is a powerful word processor, computing and graphics, ideal for education. It can enrich both teachers and students.
- Android Due to the fact that this OS software, many developers can use it to create applications that will be used by this system.
- Firefox Many users know this Mozilla web browser well, and most of its code is provided by a large community of volunteers.
Security Systems
Many users are concerned about whether free software is more secure than proprietary software. It is well known that users of OS software, such as those who usually work with computers running Linux systems, are usually proud of the security that these programs provide for the most closed systems, say, Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac.
However, experts today, after many years of discussion, still disagree with this today. The truth is that both sides have their own reasons for defending their arguments. Users of OS applications and systems protect the model, since the source code is accessible to everyone, it is much easier to detect possible security holes and vulnerabilities.
On the other hand, many people believe that closed systems are more secure due to the fact that a limited number of experts have access to the source code of such applications, so leaks or inserts of malicious software in this type are complicated.
Security is of paramount importance in both cases, and in any case it has been proven that security is not guaranteed in any program. But it is also true that developers strive to ensure that the risks of an attack are minimized.
For example, Linux systems have long been considered a secure operating system, in large part due to the advantages offered by its design. Since its code is open, there are many people who implement improvements and benefit other Linux users.
This is the difference from the proposed Windows or MacOS, where these fixes are usually limited to those discovered by Microsoft and Apple.
That is why Windows dominates the desktop environment, Linux is widely used on servers and other elements that are essential for fundamental security.
Benefits of Open Source
Software with OS (Open Source) differs from closed source software with a special license. To guarantee the rights of users of OS software, all copies must be distributed with a copyright notice, a copy of the license, and the source.
Copyright indicates the owner of the software, therefore it cannot be assigned by a third party, while the license guarantees its OS status, and the code is the basis for studying and modifying the software.
Software Advantages:
- The user does not pay for a license to use the program.
- The provider only charges for the services it provides.
- Provider independence and service improvement.
- The client does not depend on the provider, since, having the source code, any provider can continue to work from the place where the previous one ended.
- Since the supplier pays only for his services, and the client has no connections, the first concentrates his efforts to provide good customer service.
- With all the code available, any new development can use client data and processes, integrating various programs.
- Created data will always be available without forcing the client to invest in the license.
- The user does not fall under sanctions for using the program.
- It has periodic updates with a high frequency of release to the network.
- The product is 100% virus free.
- Has a large support community.
- Technological independence.
- Flexible computer solutions.
- An economical option, with low or zero cost products.
- Free use and distribution.
- It has standard formats that provide higher compatibility between systems.
Open source business
Companies that dedicate themselves to OS do not apply pricing for software licenses, but for the services they provide to their customers. In particular, they focus their income on activities such as training, consulting, counseling, certification and individual development.
Thus, customers do not pay for the possibility of using the program, but invest in the availability of a service provider, optimizing their investments, and remain independent of the provider. On the other hand, one of the services that a provider can provide is to develop functionality that is not available in open source applications.
In fact, with the help of closed code, through the sale of licenses, clients finance the further development of the system and, as a rule, continue to pay for its use when the development is already fully funded.
In OS, the client finances, if he so desires, the functionality that he needs. Thus, it also contributes to the development of the system, benefiting other firms to the same extent that it helped the development funded by other companies.
Software always has an owner. This is indicated in the copyright notice. That's why it is so important that each copy distributes the note.
Development prospects
Open source is a concept that has changed the world. It refers to the fact that "it can be changed and transferred, because according to Open Source, its design is available to the public." Most people use OS software not because it is free, but because it is safe and, as a rule, is the best available on the market, with community support.
One of the latest open source news is Google’s artificial intelligence system. Search titanium has released internal software in this area. It is called TensorFlow, and its training libraries have been transferred to the community to speed up the development process.
Not only code libraries were opened to the public, but also tutorials and examples that work under the Apache 2.0 license, so any institution has the opportunity to take advantage of the offer.
Some note that IBM promotes the use of Linux in companies so that they are subsequently tied to their applications. That's why it’s not the open source system like Linux that matters, but the use of licenses.
The future of this system is very promising, experts say that by 2020, computer equipment will receive more than 80% of its components through voluntary Open Source communities.