INTRODUCTION TO

Chapter 1 OPEN SOURCE

1.1 WHY OPEN SOURCE ?

The typical computer user owns lots of software that he bought years ago and no
longer uses today. He might have upgraded his computer or changed brands, and then the
program wouldnt work any longer. The software might have become old. The program
may simply not do what he needs. He may have bought two or more computers, and
doesn't want to pay fora second copy of the software. Whatever the reason, the software
that he paid for years ago is not doing the task today. Does that really need to happen ?
What if you had the right to get a free upgrade whenever your software needed it?
What if, when you switched from a Mac to a PC, you could switch software versions for
free ? What if, when the software doesn't work or isn't powerful enough, you can have it
improved or even fix it yourself ? What if the software was still maintained even if the
company that produced it went out of business ? What if you could use your software on
your office workstation, and your home desktop computer, and your portable laptop, instead
of just one computer ? You'd probably still be using the software you paid for years
ago.
These are some of the rights that Open Source gives you.

1.2 WHAT IS OPEN SOURCE ?

Confusion about the term freedom was the very reason the term Open
source
created. Open source or Open Source Software (OSS) is different from proprietary software.was
In
Open Source, the source code used in the software is avaiable to anyone
evaluate, and adapt. Open source has an important impact on the way many to examine,
View and create software. End users often use the term opeit source to developers
cover avariety of free
and open source software.
Open source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed
Peer review and transparency of process. The Open Source Initiative has this for a definition
of open source software :
1
2 Open Source Technology

The Open Source Definition is a bill of rights for the computer user. It defines certa:.
rights that a software license must grant you to be certified as Open Source.
Example of open source software is :
" Linux
" Apache
" BSD
" Wikipedia
" Mozilla.
Programners feel comfortable contributing to Open Source because they are assured
of these rights :
" The right to make copies of the program, and distribute those copies.
" The right to have access to the software's source code, a necessary preliminary
before you can change it.
" The right to make imprvements to the program.
These rights are important to the software contributor because they keep all contributors
at the same level relative to each other. Everyone who wants to be allowed to sell an Open
Source program, so prices will be low and development to reach new markets willbe rapid.
Anyone who invests the time to build knowledge in an Open Source program can support
it, and this provides users with the option of providing their own support, or the economy
of anumber of competing support providers. Any programmer can tailor an Open Soure
program to specific markets in order to reach new customers. People who do these things
are not compelled to pay royalties or license fees.
The reason for the success of this somewhat communist-sounding strategy, while the
failure of communism itself is visibie around the world, is that the economics of information
are fundamentally different from those of other products. There is very litle cost associated
with copying a piece of information like a computer program.
The promises of open source are:
" Better Quality
" Higher Reliability
" More Flexible
" Lower Cost
" Transparent
Open source doesn't just mean to access the source code.
The Distribution Terms of open source software must comply with the follows
criteria :

1.2.1 Free Redistribution

software as a
The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away theseveral different
component of an aggregate software distribution containing programs from
sources. The license shall not require a royalty or other fee for such sale.
 Introduction to Open Source 3

Rationale : By constraining the license to require free redistribution, we elininate the

temptation to thrOw away many long-term gains in order to make a few short-terrn sales
Allars. If we didn't do this, there would be lots of pressure for cooperators to
defect.
1.2.2 Source Code
The program must include source code, and must allow distribution in source
code as
well as compiled form. Where some formn 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 nternet 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.
Rationale : We require access to un-obfuscated source code because you can't evolve
programs without modifying them. Since our purpose is to make evolution easy, we require
that modification be made easy.
1.2.3 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.
Rationale The mere ability to read source isn't enough to support independent peer
review and rapid evolutionary selection. For rapid evolution people need to be able to
experiment with and redistribute modifications.
Software has little use if you can't maintain it (fix bugs, port to new systems, make
improvements), and modification is necessary for maintenance. The intent here is for
modification of any sort to be allowed. It must be allowwed for a modified work to be
distributed under the same license terrns as the original work. However, it is not required
that any producer of a derived work must use the same license terms, only that the option
to do so be open to them. Various licenses speak differently on this subject-the BSD license
allows you to take modifications private, while the GPL does not.
concern among some software authors is that this provision could allow unscrupulous
A
people to modify their software in ways that would embarrass the original author. They fear
someone deliberately making the software perform incorrectly in a way that would make
it look as if the author was a poor programmer. Others are concerned that software could
be modified for criminal use, by the addition of Trojan horse functions or locally-barnned
technologies such as cryptography. All of these actions, however, are covered by criminal
law. A common misunderstanding about software licenses is that they must specify
everything, including things like "don't use this software to commit acrime." However, no
license has any valid existence outside of the body of civil and criminal law. Considering
a license as something apart from the body of applicable law is as silly as considering an
English-language document as being apart from the dictionary, in which case none of the
Words would have any defined meaning.
 Open Source Technology

1.2.4 Integrity of the Author's Source Code

The license may restrict source code from being distributed in modified
the license allows the distribution of "patch files" with the source code for theform only it
he program at build time. The license must explicitly permit purpose
miting
distribution
soêtware built from modified source code. The license may require derived works to
a ditferent namne or version nuunber from the original software. carry
Rationale : Encouraging lots of improvement is a good thing, but users have
to know who is responsible for the software they are using. Authors and maintainers right
i p a l right to know what they're being asked to support and protect their have
that source be
reputations
Accordngly, an open source license must guararntee readily available,
but mav require that it be distributed as pristine base sources plus patches. In this
"unottictal" changes can be made available but reacily distinguished from thebase sou way.
Some authors were atraid that others would distribute source code with modifications
that would be perceived as the work of the original author, and would reflect poorly on tha
author. This gives them a way to enforce a separation between modifications and their ou
work without prohibiting modifications. Sprae consider it un-aesthetic that modificaticne
might have to be distributed in a separate "patch" file from the sorce code, even thouÝh
Linux sistributions like Debian and Red Hat use this procedure for all of the modificatiors
tney make to the programs they distribute. There are programs that automatically merge
patches into the main source, and one can have these programs run automatically when
extracting asource package. Thus, this provision should cause little or no hardship.
Note also that this provision says that in the case of patch files, the modification takes
place at build-time. This loophole is employed in the Qt Public License to mandate a different,
though less restrictive, license for the patch files, in contradiction of Section 3 of the Open
Source Defirition. There is a proposal to clean up this loophole in the definition while
keeping t within Open Source.
The licernse must explicitly permit distribution of software built from modified source
code. The icense may require derived works to carry a different name or version number
irom the original sofware.
This means that Netscape, for example, can insist that only they can name a version of the
program Netscape Navigator(tm) while all free versions of the program must be called Mozilla or
something else.
1.2.5 No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups
The licerse must not discriminate against any person or group of persons.
Rationale : In order to get the maximum benefit from the process, the maximum
diversity of persons and groups should be equally eligible to contribute to open sources.
Therefore we forbid any open source license from locking anybody out of the process.
Some countries, including the United States, have export restrictions for certain p
of software. An OSD-conformant license may warn licensees of applicable restrictions a
remind them that they are obliged to obey the law; however, it may not incorporate u
restrictions itself.
 Introdctien to On Souc 5

Aliense proviled by the Rogonts of the University of California, Berkeley, prohibited

anclectonic designPogram trom being used by the poice of South Africa. While this was
alaudable sentinent in the time of apartheid, it makes ile sense today. Some people are
still stuck witlh softwae that they cquirel under that license, and their derived versions
must carry the same restriction. Open Source licenses may not contain such provisions, no
matter how laudable their intent.

1.2.6 No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor

The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the program in a specific field
offorendeavor. For example, it may not restrict the program from being used in a business, or
genetic research.
Rationale : The major intention of this clause is to prohibit license traps that prevent
onen source from being used commercially. We want commercial users to join our community,
not feel excluded trom it.
Your software mnust be equally usable in an abortion clinic, or by an anti-abortion
organization. These political arguments belong on the floor of Congress, not in software
licenses. Some people find this lack of discrimination extremely offensive!
1.2.7 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.
Rationale : This clause is intended to forbid closing up software by indirect means
such as requiring a non-disclosure agreement.
The license must be automatic, no signature required. Unfortunately, there has not
been a good court test in the U.S. of the power of a no-signature-required license when it
is passed from a second party to the third. However, this argument considers the license in
the body of contract law, while some argue that it should be considered as copyright law,
where there is more precedent for no-signature licenses. A good court test will no doubt
happen in the next few years, given the popularity of this sort of license and the booming
nature of Open Source.
1.2.8 License Must Not be Specific to a Product
The rights atached to the program must not depend on the program's being part of
a particular software distribution. If the program is extracted from that distribution and
used or distributed within the terms of the program's license, all parties to whom the
program is redistributed should have the same rights as those that are granted in conjunction
with the original software distribution.
Rationale : This clause forecloses yet another class of license traps.
This means you can't restrict a product that is identified as Open Source to be free only
if you use it with aparticular brand of Linux distribution, etc. It must remain free if you
separate it from the software distribution it came with.
 Open Source Technology

1.2.9 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.
Rationale : Distributors of open source software have the right to make their own
choices about their own software.
Yes,the GPL isconformant with this requirement. Software linked with GPLed libraries
only inherits the GPL, if it forms asingle work, not any software with which they are merely
distributed.
Aversion of Ghost Script (a Post Script-rendering program) requires that the media on
which it is distributed contain only free software programs. This isn't permissible for Open
Source licenses. Fortunately, the Ghost Script author distributes another (somewhat older)
version of the program with a true Open Source license.
Note that there is a difference between derivation and aggregation. Derivation is when
a program actually incorporates part of another program into itself. Aggregation is when you
include two programs on the same CD-ROM. This section of the Open Source Definition is
concerned with aggregation, not derivation. Section 4 is concerned with derivation.

1.2.10 License Must Be Technology-Neutral

No provision of the license may be predicated on any individual technology or style
of interface.
Rationale: This provision is aimed specifically at licenses, which require an explicit
gesture of assent in order to establish a contract between licensor and licensee. Provisions
mandating so-called "click-wrap" may conflict with important methods of software
distribution such as FIP download, CD-ROM anthologies, and web mirroring; such provisions
may also hinder code re-use. Conformant licenses must allow for the possibility that
(a) redistribution of the software will take place over non-Web channels that do not support
click-wrapping of the download, and that (b) the covered code (or re-used portions of
covered code) may run in a non-GUIenvironment that cannot support popup dialogues.
Free software is open source software, but not all open source software's are free.
This would get us in trouble if any of these licenses are ever changed to be non-open
source wed have to issue a revision of the Open Source Definition immediately. It really
belongs in explanatory text, not in the Open Source Definition itself.

1.3/OPEN SOURCE PRINCIPLES

Asyou know Open Source is a term most commonly applied to software and it refers
to set of principles and practices where by the design and production information is shared
openly, with out the normal restriction encountered when developing software with in a
commercial environment where intellectual property is closely guarded.
The brief explanation of each principle is as follows :
 Introduction to Open Source

1.3.1 Licensees are Free to Use Open Source Software for Any Purpose Whatsoever
An open source license may not interfere in any wav with the use of the software by
licensees. Restrictions on use, such as "for research and noncommercial
purposes only." are
not allowed in open source licenses. The phrase free to use is also intended to mean, "without
any conditions that would impede use,"such as arequirement for the licensee to report uses
t the licensor, or to disclose the means or manner of internal uses of the software. Note also
Abat the first word, licenseeS, means that open source software is only available under the
ofa license to which cach licensee must agree.
terms

Licensees are Free to Make Copies of Open Source Software and to Distribute
them without Payment of Royalties to a Licensor
This principle does not mean that a licensor cannot sell open source software. It merely
savs that a licensee need not pay the licensor for additional copies he makes himself, even
if those copies are distributed to others. As a practical matter, this open source
principle
drives the price of mere copies of open source software toward its marginal cost of production
and distribution.

1.3,3 Licensees are Free to Create Derivative Works of Open Source Software and
to Distribute them without Payment of Royalties to a Licensor
Quality software is built upon the foundations of earlier software. Many advocates of
free and open source software conternd that the requirement for open source licenses to
permit the unhindered creation and distribution of derivative vorks is essential to meet the
goal of the intellectual property laws as stated in the US. Constitution, "to promote the
progress of science and the useful arts." Under this open source principle, a licensor cannot
charge a royalty for the privilege to create and distribute derivative works, or require a
licensee to pay a royalty for Copies ofa derivative work that are distributed, or impose any
restrictions on the type or character of those derivative works.
1.3.4 Licensees are Free to Access and use the Source Code of Open Source Software
Source code is written in a human language to instruct a computer how
certain functions. Since the source code must be changed in order to instruct theto perform
computer
to perform different functions, access to the source code is essential to make the third open
sOurce principle-the freedom to create derivative works of open source software-a practical
reality. Source code is a means to an end, not the end itself. The phrase free to access merely
requires the licensor to make source code available to licensees upon request at zero prices,
not necessarily to distribute the source code to everyone.
1.3.5 Licensees are Free to Combine Open Source and Other Software
Open source licenses may not impose conditions or restrictions on other software with
which the licensed software is merely combined or distributed. This prevents restrictions
regarding what other software can be placed on computer storage media or in computer
memory. Open source is one of many possible business and licensing models for software
distribution, and customers must be free to select and use those software alternatives. This
open source principle does not mean that licensors cannot impose reciprocal conditions
8 Open Source Technologu
upon icensees who create and distribute derivative works, for the activity of creatino
derivative works is not the same as merely combining software on media or on computers

1.4 OPEN STANDARDS REQUIREMENTS FOR SOFTWARE

The Requirement. An "Open Standard" must not prohibit conformirng implementation in

open soure software.

1.4.1 The Criteria

To comply with the Open Standards Requirement, an "Open Standard must satisfy
the following criteria. If an "Open Standard" does not meet these criteria, it will be
discriminating against open source developers.
1.4.1.1 No Intentional Secrets
The standards MUST NOT withhold any detail necessary for interoperable
implementation. As flows are inevitable, the standard MUST define a process for fixing
flaws identified during implementation and interoperability testing and to incorporate said
changes into a revised version or super sending version of the standards to release under
terms that do not violate the OSR.
1.4.1.2 Availability
The standard MUST be freely and publicity available (ex. From a stable web site) under
royalty-free terms at reasonable and non-discriminatory cost.
1.4.1.3 Patents
All patents essential to implementation of the standards Must :
1. Be licensed under royalty-free terms for unrestricted use, or
2. Be covered by a promise of non-assertion when practiced by open source software.
1.4.14 No Agreements
There MUST NOT any requirement for execution of a license agreement, NDA, grant,
click-through or any other form of paperwork to deploy conforming implementation of the
standard.

1.4.1.5 No OSR-Incomplete Dependencies

Implementation of the standard MUST NOT require any other technology that fails to
meet the criteria of this requirement.

1.5 WHERE OSS HAS SUCCEEDED

" There are nany open source projects.

-SourceForge.net, a leading site for open source development, lists nearly 80,000.
- A small number of open source projects are highly successful.
 ntrouction te Oren Seurce

I'rotide widelv used alternative to traditional commercial or "closed

software. source"
Manv more projects are used by small communities of
experts.
The most successful projects tend to be infrastructure software,
not applications.

1.6 OPEN SOURCE SUCCESSES

" More on server than client side
More expert users of servers
Server operating systems
Linux
Certain server software
Web
e Mail
DNS
- So far less so with other server software
Database (MySQL rising, less easy to measure)
" Software for technical users.

1.7 FREE SOFTWARE

Free software is a software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction,
and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without
restriction, or with restrictions only to ensure that further recipients can also do these things.
Io make these acts possible, the human readable form of the program (called the source
code) must be made available. The source code may be either accompanied by a software
license saying that the copyright holder permits these acts (a free software license), or be
released into public domain, so that these rights can be automatically hold.
Alternative terms for free software have been coined in an attempt to make the use of
"íree" less ambiguous. The most common is "open source software", which has since evolved
to refer to a subtly different sense of freedom. Free software is also known as "software
libre", "free, libre and open source software" ("FLOSS"), and "free and open source software"
("FOSS").
Free software is distinct from freeware; freeware is proprietary software made available
free of charge. One can use, but not study, modify or redistribute freeware.
Since free software may be freely redistributed and generally available at very little
cost. Free software businesS models are usually based on adding value such as support,
training, customization, integration, or certification. At the same time, some business models
which work with non-free software are not compatible with free software, such as those that
depend on a user having no choice but to pay for a license in order to lawfully use a
software product.
10 Open Source Technology
The free software movement was launched in 1983 to make these freedoms availahl.
to everv computer user. Software that does not provide these froedoms is referred to a
proprietarv software or non-free software.
Fe software is software that may be modified and redistributed freelv by anyone
with no significant restrictions on how the code may he changed, the tuses to which it ma.
be put. or the parties with whom it may be shared.
Today, free software is a large body of high-quality code on which nuch of the Interne,
depends foruitical functions, and it constitutes the core operating system for an increasing
number of desktop machines as well. But free software is much more than just a collection
of programs. It is also a political movement, a programming methodology, and a business
model-although not necessarily to the same people at the same time. Indeed, even the term
free software is cont1roversial; as we'll see later, some people prefer to call it open source
software. The story of how free software became so technologically successful, even as it
hecame ideologically fractious, starts in the early days of the computer industry.

1.8 WHAT IS FREE SOFTWARE ?

We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be true about a
particular software program for it to be considered free software.
Free software is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should
think of free as in free speech, not as in free beer.
Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change
ana improve the software.
Free in Free Software is referring to freedom, not price. Having been used in this
meaning since the 80s, the first documented complete definition appears to be the GNU's
Bulletin, vol. 1 no. 1 [1], published February 1986. In particular, four freedoms define Free
Software as :

1.8.1 The Freedom to Run the Program, for any Purpose

Placing restrictions on the use of Free Software, such as time ("30 days trial period",
"license expires January lst, 2004") purpose ("permission granted for research and non
commercial use", "may not be used for benchmarking") or geographic area ("must not be
Lused in country X") makes a program non-free.
1.8.2 The Freedom to Study How the Program Works, and Adapt it to Your Needs
Placing legalor practical restrictions on the comprehension or modification of aprogram,
such as mandatory purchase of special licenses, signing of a Non-Disclosure Agreement
(NDA) or for programming languages that have multiple forms or representation making
the preferred hunan way of comprehending and editing a program ("source code")
inaccessible also makes it proprietary (non-free). Without the freedom to modify a program
people will remain at the mercy of a single vendor.
 ntroduction to Open Sourcc 11

,g3 The Freedon to Redistribute Copies So You can Help Your Neighbor
Software can be copied/distributed at virtually no cost. If you are not allowed to
a program to a person in need, that makes a program non-free. This can be done for givea
charge, if you so choose

8.4 The Freedomto Improve the Program, and Release Your Improvements to the
Public, so that the Whole Community Gets Benefits
Not everyone is an equally good programmer in all fields. Some people don't know
Ihow to program at all. This freedom allows those who do not have the time or skills to solve
aproblem to indirectly access the freedom to modify. This can be done for a charge.
These freedoms are rights, not obligations, although respecting these freedoms for
society nmay at times oblige the individual. Any person can choose to rnot make use of tihem,
hut may also choose to make use of all of them. In particular, it should be understood that
Enpe Software does not exclude commercial use. If aprogram fails to allow
andcommercial distribution, it is not Free Software. Indeed a growing number commercial use
of companies
base their business model completely or at least partiallv on Free Software, including
of the largest proprietary software vendors. Free Software makes it legal to provide helpsome
assistance, it does not make it mandatory. and
Free Software shares much of its philosophy with Open Source software, but
many
people within the open source community feel that there are important distinctions between
the terms, as described in the section Free Software vs. Open source
software.
Often Free Software is referred as "ree as in speech, not as in beer",
that the Free-software movement is concerned with freedom, not with price. stressing the idea
this book the reader should assume that the word "free" is referring to Throughout
freedom.

1.9 WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF FREE SOFTWARE ?

Some free software are :

1. Operating Systems : Linux, BSD, Darwin and Open Solaris
2. GCC Compiler, GDB debugger and C/C++ libraries.
3. Servers : BIND name server, Send mail transport, Apache web server and Samba
file server.
4. Relational Daiabase systems : MySql and PostgresSQL.
5. Programming language : Java, Perl, PHP, Python, Lua, Ruby and Tcl.
6. GUI Related : X Windows System, GNOME, KDE, and Xfce desktop environments.
7. GRASS :Open Source Geography Information System (GIS).
8. OpenOffice.org office suite, Mozilla and Firefox web browser and GIMP graphics
editor.
9. Typesetting and document preparation system Tex and Latex.
10. OGG : Free Software multimedia file type that can function like an mp3 or mp4.
 1. 10 FREE SOFTWARE LICENSE PROVIDER

Most Free Software is released fewer than one of the following license agreements :

1. 10.1 GNUGeneral Public License

most demanding of users of
The strict GPL license is the most common, and the
under (version 2 of) this license, as
software released under it. The Linux Kernel is released
GCC).
well as the GNU Compiler Collection (The
 Introductton to Open Souree 13

1.10.2 GNULesser General Public License

This license was originally released as a compromise between the strict GPL license
and the mor pemissive licenses such as the BSD license and the MIT license. It does not
arry the "inheritane" element that the GPL. license does, which means that commercial
sofware may use sottiwae rleased under this license without having to be released under
the GPL, or the LGPL license itself.
1,10.3 BSD Licenses

Sometimes referred to as "BSD-Style" licenses, these licenses are more permissive that
the GNU licenses. The original was tused for the Berkley Software Distribution (BSD), a
Unix-like operating system for which the license was named.
1.10.4 Mozilla License
The Mozilla Public License was developed for software released by the Mozilla
Foundation (it was actually developed prior to that, but today that is its primary use). It is
a "weak copy-left" license, that has since been adopted, in modiied versions, by several
other companies and organizations. Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird, and the Mozilla
Application Suite are some of the software programs released under this license.
1.10.5 MIT License
This license, which originated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is a public
domain license. It is one of the most permissive types of licenses,and is the license under
which the XWindows System is released.
1.10.6 Apache License
Technically, this license is incompatible with the GPL, since it explicitly allows
modifications to the software itself to remain secret and said modifications to be sold. This
does not mean that software released under this license is not Free Software, since it does
requre the party releasing the software to adhere to the 4 Freedoms. The Apache Web
Server is released under this license.

1.10.7 The "as-is" Release Model

This usually means that the released code is simply placed in the public domain, with
no restrictions whatsoever apart from not "claiming rights" to that code, and not claiming
that the user wrote it. There are actually quite a few dedicated-purpose libraries released
under this license, which do something very specific, very efficiently.

1.11 FREE SOFTWARE VS. OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

The primary distinction of open source software is that it's not about freedom: it's
about what software do things better.
As a whole the movement is often called "Free and Open source Software" (FOSS).
While many people point to the differences between the two, this book will focus on what
14 Open Source Techmoloyy

unites the two. For the purposes of clarity the abbreviation FOSS will be used when desc ribil
iss ues that apply to all open source software projects, whereas 05S will be used wher
describing issues that apply only to software with open source licenses that allow futur.
developers to close the source code, and FSS will be used when talking about issues that
apply only to software with free licenses requiring future developers tnaintain the previous
style of licensing (if not the license itself).
Critics have said that the term "open source" fosters an ambiguity of a different kind
such that it confuses the mere availability of the source with the frecdom to use, inodify, and
redistribute it.Developers have used the alternative terms Free/Open Source Software (FOSS,
or Free/Libre/Open Source Software (FLOSS), consequently, to describe open source software,
which is also free software.
The term "Open Source" was originally intended to be trademarkable, however, the
term was deerned too descriptive, so no trademark exists. The OSI would prefer that people
treat Open Source as if it were a trademark, and use it only to describe software licensed
under an OSI approved license.
There have been instances where software vendors have labeled proprietary software
as "open source" because it interfaces with popular OSS (such as Linux). Open source
advocates consider this to be both confusing and incorrect. OSI Certified is a trademark
licensed only to people who are distributing software icensed under a license listed on the
Open Source Initiative's list.
Open source software and free software are different terms for software, which comes
with certain rights, or freedoms, for the user. They describe two approaches and philosophies
towards free software. Open source and free software (or software libre) both describe
software, which is free from onerous licensing restrictions. It may be used, copied, studied,
modified and redistributed without restriction. Free software is not the same as freeware,
software available at zero prices.
The definition of open source software was written to be almost identical to the free
software definition. There are very few cases of software that is free software but is not open
source software, and vice versa. The diference in the terms is where they place the emphasis.
"Free software" is defined in terms of giving the user freedom. This reflects the goal of the
free software movement. "Open source" highlights that the source code is viewable to al!
and proponents of the term usually emphasize the quality of the software and how this is
caused by the development models which are possible and popular among free and open
source software projects.
Free software licenses are not written exclusively by the FSF. The FSF and the OSI both
list licenses, which meet their respective definitions of free software. Open source software
and free software share an almost identical set of licenses. One exception is an early version
of the Apple Public Source License, which was accepted by the OSI but rejected by the FSF
because it did not allow private modified versions; this restriction was removed in later
version of the license. There are now new versions that are approved by both the OSI and
the FSF.
The Open Source Initiative believes that more people willbe convinced by the experience
of freedom. The FSF believes that more people willbe convinced by the concept of freedom.
 Jntroduction to Open Soure 15

The FSF believes that knowledge of the concept is an essential requirement, insists on the
use of the term free, and separates itself from the open source movement. The Open Source
Initiative believes that free have three meanings : free as in beer, free as in freedom, and free
as in untellable. The problem with the ternm "open source" is it says nothing about the
freedom to modify and redistribute, s0 people who think that source access without freedom
is a sufficient definition use it. This possibility for misuse is the case for most of the licenses
that make up Microsoft's "shared source" initiative.

1.12 PUBLIC DOMAIN

Public domain comprises the body of knowledge and
innovation (especially creative works such as writing, art,
music, and inventions) in relation to which no person or other
legal entity can establish or maintain proprietary interests
within a particular legal jurisdiction. This body of information
and creativity is considered to be part of a common cultural
and intellectual heritage, which, in general, anyone may
or exploit, whether for commercial or non-commercial
use
purposes. About 15 percent of all books are in the Public
domain, including 10 percent of all books that are stil in
print.
If an item ("work") is not in the public domain, it may Fig. 1.1. Logo of Public
Domain.
be the result of a proprietary interest such as a copyright,
patent, or other Sui generics right. The extent to which members of the public may use or
exploit the work is limited to the extent of the proprietary interests in the relevant legal
jurisdiction. However, when the copyright, patent or other proprietary restrictions expire,
the work enters the public domain and may be used by anyone for any purpose.

1.12.1 Public Domain Software

Another common form of open source software is software that has entered into the
public domain. This is software that is unrestricted by copyright or licenses, and therefore
free to use for any purpose. Before the rise of the open source software movement agreat
deai of software written in academic circles was released into the public domain for peer
review. This practice has changed with the rise of a more intentional open source movement,
resulting in much software that was once public domain, now being released as FOSS. The
public domain is where many resources used in open source projects come from, but there
are few (if any) major projects that operate totally within the public domain.
Programs that are uncopyrighted because their authors intended to share them with
everyone else are in the public domain. The UNIX community has developed a number of
Such programs over the years. Programs in the public domain can be used without restriction
dS components of other programs. When reusing such code, it is good to understand its
history so that you can be sure it really is in the public domain.
DEFINITION : Programs that are uncopyrighted because their authors intended to
share them with everyone else are in the public domain. The UNIX community has developed
16
Open Source echnology
the public domain can be tsed
Anumber of such programs over the years. Programs in
reusing... Definition continues
without restriction as components ofother programs. When
below

1.13 FOSS DOES NOT MEAN ANY COST

common misunderstanding about FOSS; in no small part because nearly all
This is a
example when the text editor Emacs was
RSS programs are available free of charge. For copies. Developers have the
first released Richard Stallman charged from time to time to get rarely choose to. The only
choice to charge under most FOSS licenses, although theyprovides the source code with
requirement to be a truly FOSS project is that the publisher
code. b
the program, and to allow the user to edit that
top of the initial cost of purchasing software, there are other ongoing costs associated
On agreements, the cost of customization, ac

with all software. This can come in the form of support

costs support personnel and other sources. This is true of both traditional commercial pr
training
active debate about which type of software
pes

software and FOSS programs. There is a large and little wh

more expensive over the long run for large corporations, for individual users there is
is
to no question that FOSS is cheaper by far. Ber
Stall
 mology
1.14.2 The Free Software Foundation and the GNU Project
In 1983, Richard Staliman (then of MIT) became frustrated with the
ommenialization of the computer development work that had been done at MIT, and growiny
w.
the inceasing limitations impOsed on software users. After a time, he began to create softw,.
that gave control to users. His vision was to create an entire opetating system totally fre.
of the restrictions being imposed by proprietary licensing. His first major software
development effort (even before he became disenchanted with trends in the: softwareindustry)
was the text editor, GNU Emacs, His next was a LISP system, a wick compiler, and final
the GNU project.
In 1985 Stallman founded the Free Software Foundation (FSF) to help generate suppom
for the GNUProject. FSF has grown intoone of the most important organizations in the
FOSS movement. While the primary FSF mission continues to be the completion of the GNI
operating system, FSF has also taken on the role of "free-software evangelist" by protecting
and supporting free software. FSF also holds the copyrights too much of the source code
written for the GNU project, ensuring that it always remains freely available to users.
Orer the next 10 years Stallman gathered a group of people together who essentialy
developed the entire core utilities found in UNIX and the Unix-like operating systems. n
the UNDX spirit, these consist of hundreds (perhaps thousands) of small utility programs
and tools. This project is stilloperating and is known as the GNUProject. Many of these
programs have beconme standard on the BSD variants as well (see above). In 1994, LinuN
Torvalds released the first version of the Linux kernel, and when combined with the GNU
utüities already available from the GNU Project, the Linux operating system came to be. The
Debian distribution of Linux is called GNU/Linux, in recognition of Stallman's position that
it is a joint production, to recognize that the GNUProject provides most of the essential
utilities. The GNUProject continues its slow progress on its own operating system kernel,
which will be known as Hurd. Hurd is intended to be offered as the official GNUreplacement
for the UNIX kernel, though it is currently at a beta development stage.
While the FSF has become somewhat controversial, it has certainly had a major impact
on computing. Millions of copies of the GNUsoftware are used every day throughout the
world.

Free Software Foundation

The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is a non-profit corporation founded by Richrd
Stallman on 4 October 1985 to support the free software movement, a copy left-based
movement which aims to promote the universal freedom to distribute and modify computer
software without restriction.The FSF is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
United States of America.
From its founding until the mid-1990s, FSF's funds were mostly used to employ
developers to write free software for the GNUProject. Since the mid-1990s, thesoftwar
FSFs
employees and volunteers have mostly worked on legal and structural issues for the tree
software movement and the free software community.
Being consistent with its goals, only free software is used on all of the FSF's compute
 Ietnodactiem to Open Source 19

1.14.4 GNU Project

The GNU Prject is free software, mass collaboration project, announced in 1983 by
Richani Stalman. It initiated the GNU operating system, software development for which
began in January 1984. GNU is a recursive acronym that stands for "GNU's Not Unix".
iree The founding goal of the project was, in the words of its initial announcement, to
ware
develop "a sufficient body of free software to get along without any software that is not
ustry) free" To make this happen, the GNU Project began working on an uperating system called
finally GNU. This goal of makinga free software operating system was achieved in 1992 when the
last gap in the GNU system, akernel, was filled by a third-party Unixstyle kermel called
"Limx" being released as free software.
ons in the Current work of the GNU Project includes software development, awareness buldng
of the GNU and poltical campaigring
by protecting
e source code 1.14.5 Berkeley Software Distribution
20 Open Source Technology

Should be open source is a practical auestion. not an ethical one. As one person put i
a development methodology: free software is a social movement." For tha
Open Source ismovement,
Open source non-free software is a suboptimal solution. For the Free Software
movement, non-free software is a social problem and free software is the solution.

A6 PROPRIETARY VS, OPEN SoURCE LICENSING MODEL

Open Source S/W

Proprietary/Close Source S/W
Licensor distributes object code only: source Licensor distributed source code.
code is kept a trade secret.
Modifications are prohibited. Modification are permitted.

All upgrades, support and development are Licensee may do its own development and
done by licensor. support or hire any third party to do it.
Fees are for the software license, Maintenance, Fees, if any, are for integration, packing, support,
and upgrades. and consulting.
Sublicensing is prohibited, or is a very limited Sublicensing id permitted; licensee may have to
right. distribute the source code to program and
modification.

Microsoft Windews is an example of Close Wikipedia is an example of Opern Source S/W.

Source S/W

L WHY SOME COMPANIES USE OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE ?

Some companies use open source software because :
Cost savings
Stability
Access and broad rights to source code
Accessto skilled community of developers
Abihty to define and expedite new development.

1,6 WHY SOME COMPANIES DON'T USE OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE ?

Some companies don't use open source software because :
" "Free like a pupPy"
Migration costs
" Uncertainty about open development model
Introduction to Open Source 21

" Lack of iP warranties and indemnities

" Copy left provisions of GPL, LGPL and similar licenses.

^UMMARY

Open Source or Open Source Software (OSS) is different from proprietary software. In Open
Source, the source code used in the software 1s available to anyone to examine, evaluate, and
adapt. Opern sOurce is adevelopment method for software that harnesses the power of distributed
peer review and transparency of process. The Open Source Definition is abill of rights for the
computer user. It def1nes certain rights that a software license must grant you to be certified as
Open Source.
Example of open source software is : Linux, Apache, BSD, Wikipedia, Mozilla.
Free software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and
which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction,
or with restrictions only to ensure that further recipients can also do these things. Free software
is also known as "software libre", "Free, Libre and Open Source Software" ("FLOSS"), and "Free
and Open Source Software" ("FOSS").
Free in Free Software is referring to freedom, not price. Having been used in this meaning
since the 80s, the first documented complete definition appears to be the GNU's Eulletin, vol. 1
no. 1 (1]), published February 1986. In particular, four freedoms define Free Software
Example : Linux, BSD, Darwin and Open Solaris
Public domain comprises the body of knowledge and innovation (especially creative works
such as writing, art, music, and inventions) in relation to which no person or other legal entity
can establish or maintain proprietary interests within a particular legal jurisdiction. Programs that
are uncopyrighted because their authors intended to share them with everyone else are in the
public domain. The UNIX community has developed a number of such programs over the years.

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What is the reason for using Open Source Technology ?Explain it.
L 2 What is Open Source and give the proper definition of open source?
3. What are the distribution criteria of open source technology ?
4. Explain the principles of open source and give the requirements of open source.
5. Where the open source has successor ?
KWhat is Free Software ? Explain it and write the difference between open source and free
software.
7/ What is Public Domain ? Explain it.
Explain the difference between Open Source and Close Source Software.
Explain how the FOSS does not mean any cost.
10. Explain the History of BSD.
11. Explain the History of FSF
12. Explain the History of GNU project.
D00