Open source code: features, terms and concept

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. Redistributables may also have additional conditions imposed by the author, such as not being reprogrammed for purposes other than the original.

History of the development of the concept

Currently, there are many excellent quality open source programs: Linux LibreOffice, Firefox, Audacity, WordPress, Emule and others that give an idea of the level of development and demand for this idea in the world. In each program, hundreds of people around the world work selflessly, in charge of improving and updating the software.

Process history:

1. 22 January 1998 Netscape announces that it will be releasing source code for NetscapeNavigator.
2. February 3, 1998, at a meeting in Palo Alto, the term "open source" was coined, and the following week Bruce Perens and Eric Raymond launched the "opensource.org" project.
3. March 31, 1998, Netscape Navigator code was open-sourced and the first software improvements went online within hours.
4. May 7, 1998, Corel Corporation announces the low-cost Netwinder running GNU/Linux.
5. May 11, 1998 Corel announces its plans to adapt WordPerfect and the rest of its office software to GNU/Linux.
6. May 28, 1998 Sun Microsystems and Adaptec joined Linux International, the first major vendors of open source hardware and operating systems.
7. 13- July 17, 1998, Oracle and Informix announce they are connecting their databases for GNU/Linux.
8. August 10, 1998 Sun Microsystems launches Solaris, an operating system aimed at individual users and educational or non-profit organizations.
9. On November 1, 1998, Microsoft's plans against GNU/Linux and other open source projects were released.
10. December 16, 1998 IDG announces that GNU/Linux's market share increased by 212% in 1998.
11. 1- 5 in March 1999 the first Linux World Conference Expo.
12. Hewlett-Packard, IBM and SAP start supporting businesses.
13. March 15, 1999 Apple launches Darwin under an open source license.
14. June 4, 1999 Microsoft agreed that Linuxgenerally sells more licenses than Windows 98.

Between 1998 and 2019, GNU/Linux grew in popularity and many OS companies emerged. This movement caught the attention of the software industry, bringing in offerings from consolidated software companies such as Sun Microsystems with StarOffice and IBM with OpenAFS.

Open Source term

The term "open source" continues to be ambiguous as it is currently used by programmers who do not offer free software, but software sources for revision or modification.

With this in mind, the use of the term "Open Source Software" is preferred to refer to programs offered with complete freedom to modify, use, and redistribute under the implicit rule of not changing said freedoms in the future. Computer concept in English "Open Source Software" refers to software in the public domain with permission to modify and improve.

"Open Source Software" responds to the philosophy of a community that strives to democratize knowledge through the collaboration of developers from all over the world. This initiative aims to innovate technology solutions through collaboration, information sharing, process agility and cost reduction.

It should be noted that although many OS programs may be available for free, it is not necessarily meant as an innate characteristic that all of themspread like this. The term "freedom" makes more reference 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 into their operations, and that's what makes it a very attractive work tool.

A free term, or freedom, is associated with the following functions:

1. Use. You can use the program, regardless of whether it was designed for specific tasks or not.
2. Research. The availability of the source code allows you to analyze it in more depth, adapting it to the needs of the user and evaluating possible improvements that need to be made.
3. Distribution. Commonly found in free download sites and disclosed, no restrictions.
4. Open to improvement and innovation. By providing access to the source code, users and programmers from all over the world can contribute to the collective knowledge and observations, bug discussions and product improvements.

The business world is seeing an increase in software openness as organizations realize the benefits it has in addition to profitability.

For companies, these benefits come from low cost, flexibility, freedom, security, responsibility and the support of a collective work community. It has been shown that this software can be viable in the long term and is constantly updated.

Differences between freeprograms

Many users have heard of free software and open source software, but not everyone knows the difference between the terms. In computing environments, these concepts are present in everyday life, as 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 it cannot be modified by outside people to meet specific needs. On the contrary, open source software is available to every user and can be modified according to their own requirements.

According to Richard Stallman, founder of the Free Software Movement, “These freedoms are vital not only to the user, but to society as a whole, as they promote solidarity. Its relevance is growing as culture and daily activities are increasingly connected to the digital world.”

For educational organizations, the availability of free software is an invaluable advantage, as it allows them to save on the use of proprietary software. Such programs are vital for those who want to learn how to program, since reading other people's code will help to gain new knowledge, solve problems and the learning process.

Open source core principles

Companies, users and programmersengage in continuous learning about how the program works with the clear goal of improving it. In this way, an efficient process of bug detection, correction, and implementation of new features can be carried out. One of the features of the process is the lack of capital investment, as it does not require the cost of funds to purchase licenses.

Platform Fundamentals:

1. Open source system lowers barriers to innovation so that any user can share their idea in the market. Similarly, when using these programs, it no longer depends on the work of a purely software maintenance company and can open doors to anyone with the knowledge and the necessary ability to do it remotely.
2. Software has no restrictions on the sale or distribution of the product, the cost is significantly lower than products with proprietary licenses, and in most cases is zero.
3. Source code is available so you can change the software without any restrictions, allowing you to create compiled distributions.
4. Freedom to improve and publish changes, where everyone has the right to change the source, as well as publish the changes made.
5. Use the program for free for any purpose.
6. Everyone is free to explore how it works and adapt it to the needs of any user.

Platform requirements

To understand if the user is dealing with open source softwareyou should check if the software meets the following requirements:

1. Use the program for any purpose and without restrictions.
2. A chance to learn how it works.
3. Free distribution of the program.
4. Free software change.

OS software development model is based on knowledge sharing. This is the traditional scheme of scientific fields and that is why it was the original model on which the Internet was developed, as well as TCP / IP, Unix, C.

In the development model, a person or organization coordinates a large community of independent developers distributed around the planet. Software can be seen, tested and modified even before the first full version is released.

As users and developers advance in different economic, social and legal environments, the result becomes more flexible, adaptable and versatile.

Program examples

On the Internet today there are many "Open Source Software" programs with excellent reputation and characteristics.

OS software list:

1. 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 example of open source.
2. Apache Openoffice. It is a powerful word processor, computing and graphics, ideal for education. Can enrich both teachers and students.
3. Android. Because it is OS software, many developers can use it to create applications that will be used by this system.
4. Firefox. Many users know this Mozilla web browser well, and much of its code is provided by a large community of volunteers.

Providing 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 against the most closed systems, say Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac.

However, experts today, after many years of discussions, still do not agree with this. The truth is that both sides have their reasons for defending their arguments. Users of applications and OS systems protect the model, since the source code is available to everyone, it is much easier to detect possible security holes and vulnerabilities.

On the other hand, closed systems are considered by many to be more secure due to the fact that only a limited number of experts have access to the source code of such applications, making leaks or insertions of malware in this type more difficult.

Safety is paramount in both cases, and in either 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 attack are asreduced.

For example, Linux systems have long been considered a secure operating system, due in large part to the advantages offered by its design. Since its code is open source, there are many people making improvements and benefiting other Linux users.

This is different from what is offered on Windows or MacOS, where these fixes are generally limited to those discovered by Microsoft and Apple.

This is why Windows dominates the desktop environment, Linux is widely used in servers and other elements that are essential to fundamental security.

Benefits of Open Source

Software with OS (Open Source), differs from closed source software by a special license. To guarantee the rights of users of the OS software, all copies must be distributed with a copyright notice, a copy of the license, and source code.

Copyright refers to the owner of the software, so 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 Benefits:

1. The user does not pay for a license to use the program.
2. The provider only charges for the services it provides.
3. Independence from provider and service improvement.
4. The client does not depend on the provider, since, having the source code, any provider can continue working from the place where it endedprevious.
5. Because the supplier only pays for his services and the client has no connections, the former concentrates his efforts to provide good customer service.
6. With all the code available, any new development can leverage customer data and processes by integrating various programs.
7. The generated data will always be available without forcing the customer to invest in a license.
8. The user is not penalized for using the program.
9. Has periodic updates with a high frequency of release to the network.
10. Product 100% virus-free.
11. Has a large support community.
12. Technological independence.
13. Flexible computing solutions.
14. Economic option with low or no cost products.
15. Free to use and distribute.
16. Has standard formats that provide greater compatibility between systems.

Open Source Business

Companies that dedicate themselves to the OS don't charge for software licenses, but for the services they provide to their customers. In particular, they concentrate their income on activities such as training, consulting, consulting, certification and custom development.

Thus, customers do not pay for the opportunity to use the program, but invest in the presence of a service provider, optimizing their investment, and remain independent of the provider. With anotherOn the other hand, one of the services a provider can provide is to develop functionality that is not available in open source applications.

In fact, through closed source, through the sale of licenses, customers finance the further development of the system and usually continue to pay for its use when the development is already fully funded.

In OS, the client finances, if he so desires, the functionality he needs. Thus, it also contributes to the development of the system, benefiting other firms in the same way that it helped development financed by other companies.

Software always has an owner. This is indicated in the copyright notice. That's why it's so important that each copy distributes the said note.

Prospects for development

Open source is a concept that has changed the world. It refers to something that "can be changed and shared because, according to Open Source, its design is available to the entire public." Most people use OS software not because it's free, but because it's secure and usually the best available on the market, backed by the community.

One of the latest open source news concerns Google's artificial intelligence system. The search titan has released internal software in this area. It's called TensorFlow and its learning libraries have been donated to the community to speed up the development process.

Not only were the code libraries open to the public, but alsotutorials and examples that operate under the Apache 2.0 license, so any institution can take advantage of the offer.

Some have pointed out that IBM is promoting the use of Linux in companies so that they can later be tied to their applications. That's why it's not an 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.