Open Source Software
Open source software is a software which any person can inspect, enhance and modify its content. All Softwares contain source codes which are not visible to the computer users. Only the computer programmer is in a position to alter the content of this code to improve the operation of an application or program. There are other software applications which only allow the developer of their codes to gain access to its content and alter them in any way. Such software is commonly known as proprietary or closed end software. Open Source software is more user-friendly and cheap for example purchasing a Windows operating system is expensive, but the services it offers can be achieved using Ubuntu which is one of open source software.
Advantages
Cheaper: these programs have saved companies vast amounts of money. The development of these programs aims at reaching all classes of persons especially those who are not in a position to access commercial software products (Upasani, 2016). They usually are free, and you can download as many copies as possible without any extra cost. They are also compatible with almost all hardware thus saving on the value of replacing his old machine.
Created by highly skilled personnel: famous software companies have the capacity of bringing on board big talents. Some of this persons do not require fat salaries to deliver. They only needed a job to offer then stability economically. What keeps them in the company is the drive and desire to make life better through technology. Therefore. Software firms have ventured into open source software development which provides these persons which a better platform to expose their talents. In return, the customers also benefit by getting access to the best technologies without incurring huge expenses.
Reliability: Apart from the fact that these programs’ development involves some of the most brilliant minds in the industry, a large team is engaged in testing and debugging them before their exposure to the market (Upasani, 2016). Due to these reasons the customer is assured best quality and features at all times.
Enhance flexibility: Most of the open source software programs can coexist with the proprietary products. Therefore, you are not forced to use a specific application. You have the freedom to choose what you need, and when to change from one product to another or modify what you have (Kenning, 2013). All you require is to go through various products online and select that which suits your purpose.
Disadvantages
Vulnerable to malicious users: The freedom to modify the source code can be sometimes disadvantageous. Not all the user are going to make positive changes to the software. Other users take this opportunity to bring in changes that will bring harm to the hardware thus annoying other users and the developer.
User friendliness: This category of programs consists of programs such as LibreOffice, Android operating system and Mozilla Firefox which are user-friendly, and other which are mainly to the advantage of the developer which possess a complicates software- user interface (Kenning, 2013). Such programs are hard to use especially to with little or no technical know-how.
Lack of extensive support: Open source programs sometimes are installed at your own risk. Unlike the commercial products, you cannot blame anybody if they bring any complication to your hardware. The user has no one to blame because anonymous people are involved in their development.
What the Future Hold for Open source software
The future is bright for this programs. Although they have not embraced much, their usage not dropped either. (“Open-Source Development Experiences in Scientific Software: The HANDE Quantum Monte Carlo Project,” 2015). I have used an application like the WordPress to develop numerous website, and it proofed to be valid and reliable. The only thing requirement left to promote this industry to greater height is just by introducing more peoples to it. After one has tasted its benefits, he will never depart from it.
References
Open-Source Development Experiences in Scientific Software: The HANDE Quantum Monte Carlo Project. (2015). Journal Of Open Research Software, 3. http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/jors.bw
Kenning, W. (2013). Open Source Identity Management Patterns and Practices Using OpenAM 10.x. Birmingham: Packt Publishing.
Upasani, O. (2016). Advantages and Limitations of Open Source Software for Library Management System Functions: The Experience of Libraries in India. The Serials Librarian, 71(2), 121-130. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0361526x.2016.1201786