Open-source software (OSS) is computer software whose human-readable source code is widely available perhaps under copyright. People may then modify the software and redistribute it, whether modified or not. Development is often a public, collaborative process. It is claimed that open source software may save consumers $60 billion per year.

Let’s look more closely at some of the distribution criteria. Any redistribution must include the source code. Reasonable reproduction costs are allowed, but the software is usually downloaded free via the Internet. Modifications must be distributed under the same terms as the original product. Discrimination against individuals, groups, or fields of application is forbidden. The license may not specify use of any technology.

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Keypoints of open source software

1. It’s free to use and usually distributed for free. Some companies will package it up and make it a little easier to install, for this they charge a small fee. Other companies will sell the product but then give you free support for a limited time.

2. Most open source software is developed for the linux platform. Before considering adopting linux as an operating system you’ll need to make sure you have easy access to linux support people. One really good tech, who happens to be the same guy who sold you the software isn’t good enough. He’ll end up owning your business.

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All too often a store clerk responds to questions about Open Source Software (OSS), “With open source software, you get what you pay for”. Putting aside that they are hourly employees or commission sales people selling a product/service, this is the biggest source of mis-truths of OSS. Companies that produce proprietary software want people to believe OSS is written in someone’s basement haphazardly. Obviously because it affects their bottom line.

There is some truth about code being created in a basement, but it is hardly bad code. A lot of great companies started in a garage. Anyway, all good programming starts with the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The basic process is identifying the need, implementing a test model, implementing the production model, updates/patches, and end of life. Revision control systems usually show program_name #.#.# or program_name yy.mm. No matter what kind of program it is, you’ll find this or something similar. Even software developers just starting out in their basements will write code with this style.

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