Open Source Development - Distribution
is freeby Aswathi P P (Software Programmer, Excellone Technologies)
Open source software requires free distribution
of the accompanying source code. It is the software that is freely
available to anyone in the source code form. Either the users can
download the source code and build the software themselves or the
software developers can make executable versions alongside the source.
The availability of the source code free of cost
is what makes the software of open source development so popular.
Benefits from Open Source development:
- No license cost for software of open source development, all
information is open too with no hidden agendas.
- In case of any problems you get free guaranteed support from
the software developers community. This very high peer support,
promotes all new converts to develop acceptable levels of code
quality through quick training.
- More reliable than commercial software; this robust software
costs nothing.
- Fixing any problem even when related to security can be solved
within minimum time since the source code of the software is in
hand and due to the availability of the large software support
forum; which is not normally possible in closed commercial software.
- Evaluating, implementing, or extending a kind of consulting
which is available for you in open software. The vast diverse
community behind the software makes it more interactive and up-to-date.
- With the source code for a program made accessible to thousands
of people, you can feel free from bug related mess-ups. It is
very likely that bugs will be discovered before any damage is
done.
- Internet links the whole thing. Open source development is a
collaborative, independent process. Each developer can always
stay in touch.
- The monetary benefit is what makes it the most popular. It requires
free distribution of the accompanying source code with absolutely
no liability or warranty. If you have the technical and functional
expertise to maintain an ERP+CRM application, open source software
offers you just that.
Below are some of the most popular services in web that react
as open-source development.
1. Apache:
The most popular web server in
the world is a fine example for open source software's 100% reliability,
over half the sites on web matrices use Apache to deliver up pages
to their visitors.
2. GNU:
First large-scale open source
development software project, which brought in global attention
to open software was Free software Foundations GNU project. Founded
by Richard Sallman, the GNU project has developed many compilers,
editors and other development tools along with the free version
of the proprietary UNIX, paving way to a new bloodless revolution.
3. Linux, Free BSD:
Two UNIX style operating systems
are used in hundreds of different applications like the computer
graphics in the most successful movie TITANIC created on a network
of DEC Alphas running LINUX while the popular Yahoo web index runs
web servers on FreeBSD. These two heart throbs of open software
are fine illustrations of the sources of volunteer global collaboration
in developing free production quality operating system.
4. Send mail
Program delivers e-mail for most
systems on the Internet. It is a rare e-mail message indeed that
is untouched by "send mail" at one stage or the other,
in its delivery process.
5. Perl:
Web Programming language built
to cope up with script development system administration and web/database
integration encompasses more than the language itself, there are
hundreds of high-quality Perl source-code modules available.
Conclusion
The revolution has already begun with the movement
of open source development. The philosophy of business model software
development of owning and selling program is now moving towards
service-oriented supportive philosophy.
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