Open source software is distributed with a license that grants users the right to freely use, study, change, and share the software’s source code. This approach contrasts sharply with proprietary software, where the source code is typically kept secret and usage is restricted by copyright. While copyright still applies to open source software, the accompanying license permits activities that would otherwise be infringements. For example, an open source license might allow a company to modify and redistribute a software program, potentially incorporating it into a commercial product, as long as certain conditions, such as attribution or sharing modifications, are met.
The availability of source code promotes collaboration, innovation, and community-driven development. By allowing anyone to inspect, modify, and improve the software, open source fosters transparency and rapid evolution. This model can lead to more robust and secure software as potential vulnerabilities are more easily identified and addressed by a broader community. Historically, the open source movement arose from a desire to share knowledge and promote software freedom, eventually leading to the development of various licensing models like the GNU General Public License (GPL) and the MIT License.
