The difference between Free Software and Open Source

13 May 2006 Category: Free software and Open source No Comments

This topic is an important. There are, however, good articles that answer this question better than I could. I recommend the following documents – The Free Software definition and Why free software is better than Open Source .

I will endeavour to extract the most salient points below for your convenience. I will keep this article as brief as possible and not complicate the topic. I encourage you to read the links provided for the (devil in the) detail.

Software licenses are contracts

Software licenses are contracts. The terms of that contract are determined by parties to the contract. The terms “free software” and “open source” are terms which refer to software license contracts that have specific attributes.

Definition of 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 and improve the software. More precisely, it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:

The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).

The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.

The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).

The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.”

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Definition of open source

The definition of Open Source is available here. “Open source doesn’t just mean access to the source code.” Additional terms govern the following:

Free redistribution: without royalty or restriction
Source code: must be distributed with the software
Derived works: must be distributed on the same terms as the original software
Integrity of the author’s source code must be maintained
No discrimination of persons or groups
No discrimination against fields of endeavour
Distribution of license: recipients of software to be bound by original terms of license
License must not be to a specific product
License must not restrict other software
License must be technology neutral

Open Source software initiatives often harnesses the efforts of the broader community to develop software. Innovation is driven by a much larger community. Open source communities can have commercial aspects.

FLOSS – an attempt to bridge the ideological divide

According to Wikipedia,

““Free/Libre/Open-Source Software, or FLOSS, is an alternative term for free software. It is used by those who wish to be inclusive or who do not want to take a side on whether free software or open-source software is a better term. Although neither side has shown much enthusiasm for the term FLOSS. The term FLOSS is often used to bridge the ideological divide between the free software and open source software movements. The term FLOSS is useful for those who, for a variety of reasons, do not want to align themselves with one group and alienate the other. FLOSS can also be used as a neutral term when discussing free / open source software with those of differing ideological viewpoints.”“

Potential for abuse

Both, “free software” and “open source” terms have not be trademarked and can be, and are, misrepresented. “Free software” is a philosophy and, where used appropriately, conveys a clear meaning of the license conveyed. “Open source” is more complex, or provides more flexibility and careful examination of the license terms is required to truly understand the obligations of the license. Some companies use the term “Open source” for software which requires payment and do not meet the definition of “open source”.