The term “open source” refers to something that can be modified because its design is publicly accessible.Recently Microsoft went the Open Source way by making .NET one.Linux,Mozilla,PERL etc. are the popular open source softwares available today.
Most software that you buy or download only comes in the compiled ready-to-run version.It is extremely difficult to modify the compiled version of applications and almost impossible to see its source code.Most commercial companies develop this way to keep other companies from copying their code and using it in a competing product.It also gives them control over the quality and features found in a particular product.
Open source software is exactly opposite to it-source code is included with the compiled version and anyone can modify the source code.Their developers believe that such initiative will make the application more useful and error free in the long term.A huge plus for the aspiring developers as well since they can actually learn a lot about languages by going through their source code and modifying it.
To be considered as open source software by the software development industry, these criteria must be met:
- The program must be freely distributed.
- Source code must be included.
- Anyone must be allowed to modify the source code.
- Modified versions can be redistributed.
- The license must not require the exclusion of other software or interfere with the operation of other software.
Some of these websites are worth checking out:
www.github.com
www.sourceforge.net
www.opensourceforu.com
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5 Comments. Leave new
Good effort
very informative π
Good effort π
Great work. Very well written !
Great efforts.. Nice
Something new to readβΊ