Open Source Software Movement and Linux Operating system

Open Source Software Movement and Linux Operating System

Ideals of Open Source

• Share the goal: a broad group of contributors recognize the same need and agree on how to meet 

• Share the work: projects are broken into smaller tasks, and a review process screens the best contributions 

• Share the result: code should be available to all and improvements should be shared to all.

What is: 

• Software? 

• Source? 

• Open?

SOFTWARE 

Computer programme or software is set of instructions to computer to work in a desired manner

SOURCE 

Instructions to computers are normally written by programmers in Programming Languages like – C, C++, Java etc. These instructions are readable by humans and referred as Source Code. To make machines i.e. computers to understand this source code – it either permanently translated (compiled) or translated (interpreted) into machine level codes.

As normal software industry practice, only the final working machine readable version (Compiled Program) of the software is handed over to users. The software works fine because machines don’t need source code. They only understand the compiled version. However, the recipients or the users do not know how it works. If any modification is required, the same can be done only by the producers who retain the source code. 

OPEN

Here original source code of the software is also given. If required, the users can modify the source code and then compile the software to use it. Thus, the source code is Opened up.

OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE 

• Here original source code of the software is also given.
• If required, the users can modify the source code and then compile the software to use it. 
• Thus, the source code is Opened up.
• OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE refers to applications developed in which the user can access and alter the “source” code itself.
• Open: collaboration is open to all 
• Source: source code is freely shared

Open source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process. The promise of open source is better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility, lower cost, and an end to predatory vendor lock- in.  The Software source is posted on the web as it is being developed, available for any person to use or to work on. There is a direct access to the developers through the website  Quick identification of bugs and problems are soon discovered and handled.

OPEN SOURCE INITIATIVE (OSI)

•  The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a non-profit corporation formed to educate about and advocate for the benefits of open source and to build bridges among different constituencies in the open-source community.
•  http://www.opensource.org/ 

1. OPEN SOURCE DEFINITION 
2. 1. Free Redistribution 
3. 2. Source Code 
4. 3. Derived Works 
5. 4. Integrity of The Author's Source Code 
6. 5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups 
7. 6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavour 
8. 7. Distribution of License 
9. 8. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product 9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software 

FREE SOFTWARE MOVEMENT 

Free software movement was launched in 1983. In 1998, a splinter group of this movement advocated that the term “free” software should be replaced by “open source” software. Problem with “Free” was that it implied “Zero Cost” and not the intended meaning “Freedom”.

1. FREE SOFTWARE 

• The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0). 
• The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. 
• The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbour (freedom 2). 
• The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements (and modified versions in general) to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. 
•  Open Source Software and Free Software for all practical purposes are same . • But “Free” here actually means Freedom not free of cost “Free User “ rather “Free Software 

OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE 

• Linux – an operating system.
• Apache – widely used web-server software.
• MySQL – widely relational database software that power most web-based applications.
• PERL – a scripting language.
• PHP – a widely used scripting language in dynamic websites.
• OpenOffice – Office suit like Microsoft Office. 
• Firefox – Internet browsing software like Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.

1. LINUX HISTORY

•  In 1984, Richard Stallman from MIT, started to develop a free alternative to Unix. He also established a special license, the GNU license, to ensure that software is free and open to anyone.
• The GNU GPL (General Public License) says that every copy of a program governed by the GPL license, even if modified, must be subject to the GPL again. It has a “viral” effect! In the 90s, GPL+Internet, many new Open Source projects started. e Free Software Foundation. 
• The GPL guarantees four basic freedoms for the user: You have the freedom to run the program, for any purpose. You have the freedom to study how the program works and modify it to suit your needs. To make this freedom effective in practice, you must have access to the source code. 
•  In 1991, Linus Torvalds, a computer science student, started to develop a Unix OS for the personal computer. The code of the experimental version was put under the GPL license. 
• In 1997, the Open Source Initiative (OSI) was founded, and it developed the Open Source Definition (OSD). The OSD is a guideline for OSS licenses other than the GPL, and the “viral” effect is not a requirement. 

1. LINUX
2. A very popular open source operating system that runs on a variety of hardware platforms .

• Linux is widely deployed as a server OS .
• Linux is a multi-tasking, multiuser operating system. Although modified by numerous people.
• It is an ideal environment to run web servers as Apache. It is easily upgradable. It supports multiple processors as standard. Is has a lot of documentation. It runs also on old machines. 
• Amazon, Yahoo!, CNN, Google run on servers based on Linux. The Human Genome Project was run using Linux clusters.
• A Linux is a complete OS that is stable and reliable. 
• Linux is extremely powerful, it comes with a complete development environment and excellent networking facilities

Information credit: Sllideshare:RituBhargava7