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What is the difference between free software and open source software?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Free software is software that makes few or no restrictions on what you can do with it or the source code. According to the Free Software Foundation, in order for software to be considered "free", it must:
* Allow use of the program for any purpose. * Have the source code available, to see how it works and change it. * Allow you to distribute unmodified copies of the software * Allow you to modify and release the changes to the program.
"Open-source" software only needs to meet the second criteria. Software can have it's source available, but forbid you to release it commercially, or release modified copies of the binaries / source.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoFree Software means Software you can use without PAY(All Free Software are not Open Source)
Open Source Software means it is free and you can edit and modify it as per your needs and you can contribute.
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What is the difference between freeware software and open-source software?
Freeware is software for which the author or authors are not seeking monetary compensation. Open-source software is software whose authors have decided to allow other programmers to access the software they have created so as to invite community improvement.
What is the difference between open-source and free software?
Open SourceSoftware that comes with or without a license and includes the source code that is used to compile or build the program. Free SoftwareSoftware that the programmer has elected to give away at no cost, but does not release the sourcecode for the application.
What is the difference between freeware and commercial software?
The main difference between freeware software and commercial software is that one is free to use by anyone. The other, the commercial software, requires a license and usually costs money to use.
Is closed source software free?
No, most closed-source software is not free. For example, Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office are closed-source and not free.
Is all closed-source software free?
No, most closed-source software is not free. For example, Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office are closed-source and not free.
Is open source software copyrighted?
Open source software is software that allows the source code to be used. Oftentimes, they are free to use. Open source software is copyrighted.
Is Microsoft Office open source software?
no....because an open source software is distributed for free
From where you can download free Software Project Source Code Documentation?
There are sites on internet from where you can download Software Project Source Code Documentation for free. You can also buy a CD for the software.
What are 2 categories of a software?
Software can be categorized as:Closed Source : Source code is not available for general publicOpen Source : Source code is available for general public to seeNote that availability of the source code does not mean that the software is completely free. It is still possible that an Open Source Software is specifically licensed, for example to allow free use but not for free redistribution. On the other hand, it is also possible that a Closed Source Software is allowed to be use and distributed for free.
Which software are downloaded legally and ethically from the internet for free?
Software that can be downloaded free and legally are: 1: Open Source software (Though not all software that is open source is free) 2: Freeware 3: Shareware 4: Software trials
Does Open Source software not have to be purchased.?
Often, Open Source software is provided free of charge. But always check.
What is the difference between commercial software and open source software ?
An open source program is a program where the source code is freely available for developers to modify and improve. A closed source program can only be modified by the people who have the source code, (eg. The company that made the program). Examples of open source programs would be: Firefox, Google Chrome, Audacity, 7Zip, VLC Media Player, Pidgin ect. Commercial software like Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, MSN, Safari ect. is closed source. Also large programs such as operating systems (i.e Linux, Mac OS X) often use mixed source and/or shared source. Mixed source is where some of the program is open source and the rest is closed source. Shared source is where only developers who join a special network (usually non-free), can access the source, and only they can modify and improve the software. The major supporter of shared source software is Microsoft. Also don't get confused. Free software means it can be used without charge, it does not mean it is open source. Shareware does not mean shared source, it means it can only be used for free with fewer features and/or for a limited time (a free trial)
