Why an Open Software and What Are the Benefits

Essentially, an open-source software or OSS is a kind of computer software which has its source code made available and licensed by virtue of such a license agreement which authorizes the copyright holder to study, modify and distribute the software to anyone, without any further charges and for any purpose whatsoever.

---

There are indeed certain set of conditions that need to be fulfilled before the software could be considered as OSS and these are in terms of:

• Free and no-holds bar Redistribution
• Need for Source Code
• Derived Works
• Integrity of original author's Source Code
• Lack of discrimination for user groups or individual user
• No bar for use in any kind of work or endeavor
• One time distribution of License
• No necessity for license to be specific to product or its use
• No restrictions of any kind on distribution of other software
• License needs to be technology-neutral

One of the main reasons why this kind of software is generated and used is that it is open and does not confer any special or specific distinction to the original holder or developer and treats all subsequent developers as co developers. Even enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights by first owner cannot be really contested since software goes through great deal of inherent changes over time.

Some of the best examples of open- source software are VLC, Mozilla Firefox, etc. Besides, another major quality of open source is that it is compatible to both Windows and Mac.

Benefits of open-source software:

• It holds out tremendous cost savings in terms of lower development, marketing and logistic costs
• It offers excellent penetration into the market and has high acceptability levels
• Open-source software establishes high industry standards and consequent competitive advantages
• It helps build corporate image and development of commercial products
• OSS helps produce high quality software quickly and cheaply
• Offers greater flexibility and higher degree of innovativeness
• Since it is adaptable and innovative, it also has high degree of inbuilt flexibility
• It boasts of many autonomous programmer testing facilities and is thus very reliable and useful
• Its innate flexibility allows programmers to build custom interfaces or complement new competencies, essentially be a collaboration of many different programmers.
• Free software's need to be developed only in line with needs of purely technical requirements
• It obviates the need for commercial aspects of business that compromises on software quality and usage.
• Collaborative efforts may provide superior software technology at no extra or hidden costs unlike other software versions that are heavy on pricing and developmental costs
• Since the software is not specifically designed, it is indeed very flexible, versatile and could be useful for many innovative uses outside the domain of its original use
• Open-source software is in evolving stages and is expected to rise to its full potential and utility value over time and greater impact of relevant and applicable technology.  

---

Frances Borrego is an academic writing expert who is well experienced for many years. He is successful in getting more audience for his articles and is worth to interest of the readers as well.