The term open source refers to something that people can modify and share because it is designed to be publicly accessible.
The term originated in the context of software development to designate a specific method of creating computer programs. Today, however, "open source" refers to broader values - what we call "the open source way". An open source project, product, or initiative embraces and promotes principles of open communication, collaborative participation, rapid prototyping, transparency, meritocracy, and community-oriented development.
What is open source software?
Open source software is software with source code that anyone can examine, modify, and enhance.
"Source code" is the part of software that is invisible to most computer users; it is code that computer programmers can manipulate to change the way the software (a "program" or "application") works. Programmers who have access to the source code of a computer program can improve the program by adding features or fixing parts that don't always work properly.
What is the difference between open source software and other types of software?
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Some software has source code that can only be modified by the individual, team, or organization that created the software and maintains exclusive control over it. People refer to this kind of software as "proprietary" or "closed source" software.
Only the original author of proprietary software may legally copy, inspect, and alter that software. In order to use proprietary software, computer users must agree (usually by signing a license displayed when the software is first run) that they will not use the software for anything that is not expressly permitted by the software's author. Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop are examples of proprietary software.
Open source software is different. Its authors make its source code available to others who want to view that code, copy it, learn from it, change it, or share it. LibreOffice and the GNU Imaging Program are examples of open source software.
