because of the need to create technology that may be customised according to the user' requirements, and to end their dependence on expensive software.Such software,generally,gives users the freedom to run the software for any purpose,to use and modify the software, and to redistribute copies of the original and modified versions to others.These permissions are enforced through an open source licence.
TYPES OF SOFTWARE IN TERMS OF ACCESSIBILITY
Closed Source
The software that is exclusively controlled and modified by its original creators(person,team,or organisation) is called "proprietary" or "closed source" software.In a closed source software, the source code can be accessed by only the authors.
Free Software
The software whose terms of distribution allows users to study,change, and distribute it,is called free software.This type of software is also permitted to be used for any purpose.Redistribution of its versions must also be distributed with the original terms of free use,modification,and distribution(known as copyleft).
The free software are free in the sense of freedom,and not "zero price".
Open Source
The term "open source",in general,refers to something that is publicly accessible, and therefore,can be modified and shared by anyone.
In the context if software development, Open Source refers to a computer software whose source code is available to the public,and may be modified,improvised,or debugged.The original developers of the software
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPEN SOURCE AND FREE SOURCE
The main difference between open source and free software is that of philosophy and purpose.
Open source is a development methodology,where the focus is on improvising the software by opening it up for meaningful contribution from the coding community.
Free software,in contrast,is a social movement,where the focus is on the users' freedom.This freedom includes,the freedom to run the program for any purpose;to study how the program works and to customize it(access to the source code is required);to redistribute copies,and to distribute copies of the modified versions to others.
OPEN SOURCE MODEL
The open-source model encourages collaborative participation,transparency,meritocracy,and community-oriented development,where programmers publish their versions of the software back to the community.
The OSI(Open Source Initiative) organisation outlines the following criteria for a program to qualify for an Open Source Software:
Free Redistribution:
There shall be no restriction on the sale or distribution of the software ,partial or whole,and such a sale or distribution of the software ,partial or whole,and such a sale shall be free of any royalty charges or any other fee.
Source Code:
The distributed program must include the source code as well as its compiled form.In cases where it is not included,the source code must be easily accessible from public sources on the Internet.
