Introduction to Open Source
What is open source software? Open source software is software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance. "Source code" is the part of software that most computer users don't ever see; it's the code computer programmers can manipulate to change how a piece of software —a "program" or "application"—works. Programmers who have access to a computer program's sourc e code can improve that program by adding features to it or fixing parts that don't always work correctly. What's the difference between open source software and other types of software? Some software has source code that only the person, team, or organization who created it —and maintains exclusive control over it—can modify. People call this kind of software "proprietary" or "closed source" software. Only the original authors of proprietary software can legally copy, inspect, and alter that software. And in order to use propr