open source

Computing term to describe the distribution of software with its source code, its original instructions. Anyone may examine open-source software's codes, make improvements, and pass these on to the open source community. Its use created one of the most adaptable systems for developing software, including powerful operating systems like GNU, the free UNIX-like software distributed by the Free Software Foundation, and the non-proprietary Linux operating system.

The distribution terms of open source software must comply with criteria laid down at the Open Source organization. This movement aimed to provide any tool or system free to those who wished to use it, and to engineer alternatives to commercial software. The rules allowed open source companies to charge a nominal fee for creating packages of applications and for customer support. Users may write their own commercial software provided that it does not use any sections of open source code.