Free and open source software (FOSS) has profoundly influenced the computer industry since the late 1990s, revolutionizing how software is perceived, developed, and deployed across various sectors. Open source technology, which is often developed collaboratively, benefits from contributions by a diverse group of developers, many of whom volunteer their time and expertise. Despite the significant and high-quality software that has emerged from this collaborative process, the development approach is sometimes viewed as unstructured and decentralized. However, this flexibility and openness are what drive innovation, allowing for rapid iteration and widespread adoption.
As businesses, developers, and tech enthusiasts seek new ways to push the boundaries of what’s possible, one concept stands out as a cornerstone of innovation: open source software (OSS). Unlike proprietary software, where the source code is kept under lock and key, open source software invites collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement. This article explores why open source software is not just a trend but the key to unlocking the full potential of technological innovation
Introduction
Open source technology is an often-misused term, it is not just a synonym for ‘free’. With the relatively recent rise of the internet and the human dependncy on the internet, the amount of new applications/software being developed has also risen. The most widely used operating system for smartphones, android is also a freeware. A lot of people contribute their work to the android market. Linux operating system was one of the famous software that was announced open source in the early days.
One of the earliest and most famous open-source projects is the Linux operating system, which set the stage for the open-source movement by demonstrating the power of community-driven development.
The Apache Software Foundation (ASF) stands as the world’s largest open-source foundation, playing a pivotal role in the software industry. ASF has developed some of the most widely used software in the world, including the Apache HTTP Server, Apache Hadoop, Apache Lucene, Apache OpenOffice and many more. The following are the highlights of the ASF’s contribution as listed on its website.
- 200M+ lines of code in stewardship
- 1,058,321,099 lines of code committed
- 3,022,836 code commits
- 730 individual ASF Members
- 7,000 Apache code committers
- All volunteer community
“As a non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide open source software for the public good at no cost, the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) ensures that all Apache projects provide both source and (when available) binary releases free of charge on our official Apache project download pages. Our corporate bylaws explicitly state that Apache projects create “open-source” software for distribution to the public at no charge. Apache projects will never charge a fee for downloading or using their software.” ~ The Apache
The Apache License meets both the Open Source Initiative’s (OSI) Open Source Definition, and the Free Software Foundation’s definition of “free software”.
What is Open Source?
Open source technology is defined as the production and development philosophy of allowing end-users and developers to not only see the source code of software, but modify it as well.
Open source provides a transparent platform upon which anyone with the skills to do so can add to the development and production of the software either for release as a new incarnation of the software for others to use or for strictly in-house development only.
One issue that has come up repeatedly in open source has to do with the copyrights assigned to the original software and any modifications made to it. As outlined in most open source license agreements, ownership of the software can never transfer to anyone who modifies the software.
Most money made from open source software comes in the form of support for the software technology and its many additions, add-ons, and modifications that often ensue.
Need for Open Source
Collaboration and Community-Driven Development
One of the most significant advantages of open source software is the collaborative nature of its development. Unlike proprietary software, where a single company controls the codebase, open source projects are typically managed by communities of developers from around the world. These communities consist of individuals with diverse skills, backgrounds, and perspectives, all contributing to the improvement and evolution of the software.
This collaborative approach leads to faster innovation. With multiple contributors, bugs are identified and fixed more quickly, new features are developed at a rapid pace, and the software continuously evolves to meet the needs of its users. The sheer volume of contributions means that open source software can adapt more quickly to changing technological trends and user demands than proprietary alternatives.
Cost-Effectiveness and Accessibility
Innovation often requires experimentation, and experimentation can be costly—especially when using proprietary software that requires expensive licenses. Open source software, on the other hand, is typically free to use, modify, and distribute. This cost-effectiveness lowers the barrier to entry for startups, small businesses, and individual developers, enabling them to experiment with cutting-edge technologies without incurring significant expenses.
Moreover, the accessibility of open source software democratizes innovation. By providing free access to powerful tools and technologies, open source software levels the playing field, allowing anyone with the skills and creativity to contribute to technological advancement. This democratization of innovation leads to a more diverse and inclusive tech ecosystem.
Driving Industry Standards and Future-Proofing
Open source software has played a crucial role in the development and adoption of industry standards. Many of the protocols and technologies that underpin the internet and modern computing—such as Linux, Apache, and MySQL—are open source projects. By adhering to open standards, these projects ensure compatibility and interoperability across different platforms and devices.
This adherence to open standards also future-proofs technology investments. As open source projects continue to evolve, they are more likely to remain compatible with emerging technologies and standards, reducing the risk of obsolescence. Businesses that invest in open source software can be confident that their technology stack will remain relevant and adaptable to future innovations.
Inspiring a Culture of Innovation
Finally, open source software inspires a culture of innovation by encouraging experimentation, learning, and knowledge sharing. The open source community is built on the principles of collaboration and openness, where developers are encouraged to share their ideas, learn from others, and contribute to the collective knowledge base.
This culture of innovation extends beyond the software itself. Many successful tech companies, including giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon, have embraced open source principles, releasing their own open source projects and contributing to existing ones. By doing so, they not only improve the software ecosystem but also attract top talent, foster creativity, and drive further innovation.
Criteria for Open Source
A. Free Redistribution
The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the software as a component of an aggregate software distribution containing programs from several different sources. The license shall not require a royalty or other fee for such sale.
B. Source Code
The program must include source code, and must allow distribution in source code as well as compiled form. Where some form of a product is not distributed with source code, there must be a well-publicized means of obtaining the source code for no more than a reasonable reproduction cost preferably, downloading via the Internet without charge. The source code must be the preferred form in which a programmer would modify the program. Deliberately obfuscated source code is not allowed. Intermediate forms such as the output of a preprocessor or translator are not allowed.
GitHub is the most famous and widely used version control system to modify, store and share the source code. GitHub offers unlimited private repositories to all plans, including free accounts. As per wiki, as of May 2019, GitHub reports having over 37 million users and more than 100 million repositories
C. Derived Works
The license must allow modifications and derived works, and must allow them to be distributed under the same terms as the license of the original software.
D. Integrity of The Author’s Source Code
The license may restrict source-code from being distributed in modified form only if the license allows the distribution of “patch files” with the source code for the purpose of modifying the program at build time. The license must explicitly permit distribution of software built from modified source code. The license may require derived works to carry a different name or version number from the original software.
E. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups
The license must not discriminate against any person or group of persons.
F. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor
The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the program in a specific field of endeavor. For example, it may not restrict the program from being used in a business, or from being used for genetic research.
G. Distribution of License
The rights attached to the program must apply to all to whom the program is redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by those parties.
H. License Must Not Restrict Other Software
The license must not place restrictions on other software that is distributed along with the licensed software. For example, the license must not insist that all other programs distributed on the same medium must be open-source software.
I. License Must Be Technology-Neutral
No provision of the license may be predicated on any individual technology or style of interface is not free in the sense that the end user can do whatever he/she wants to it including selling it.
Conclusion
Open source software is more than just a cost-effective alternative to proprietary solutions; it is the engine driving technological innovation. By fostering collaboration, transparency, and accessibility, open source software empowers individuals and organizations to push the boundaries of what’s possible. As the tech industry continues to evolve, open source software will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future of technology for years to come.