User:Mdverdejo it3a

OPEN SOURCE TOPICS

'''Open Source ''' Open source usually refers to software that is released with source code under a license that ensures that derivative works will also be available as source code, protects certain rights of the original authors, and prohibits restrictions on how the software can be used or who can use it. Open source began as, and for the most part still is, software created by a community of people who are dedicated to working together in a highly collaborative and evolutionary way. Open source is an approach to the design, development, and distribution of software, offering practical accessibility to a software's source code. Some consider open source as one of various possible design approaches, while others consider it a critical strategic element of their operations. Before open source became widely adopted, developers and producers used a variety of phrases to describe the concept; the term open source gained popularity with the rise of the Internet, which provided access to diverse production models, communication paths, and interactive communities.  How Open Source Software Is Developed For those new to the idea of open source or unfamiliar with the way software gets developed, here's how it works most of the time: •	One or more developers--meaning people who have the skills to create software--get an idea about creating software to solve a problem. •	The developers start writing code to create a solution. This is frequently called "scratching an itch." •	The developers put this code where other developers can find out about it, download it, and play with it. There are many locations, such as SourceForge.com, where people post their projects. •	Usually the source code is published under one of several popular open source licenses that ensure that the source code and any derivative works remain open source. •	Through an informal process of sharing ideas, fiddling with each others' code, and trial and error, the software gets better and better, sometimes changing direction to solve new problems as new people discover the software. •	At some point, the software gets finished or doesn't. It becomes popular, stays obscure, or fades away. Programs like Linux and Apache have had thousands of contributors. Other projects have been created by one or two people. •	As time goes on, developers come and go, and projects become active or dormant. A huge amount of amazing software has been created through this loose process. While much of open source development has focused on creating tools for software developers, an increasing amount of effort is being put into creating programs to solve less technical problems like publishing blogs or keeping track of skydiving activity.

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