Open-source software has been gaining traction in business settings over a long period of time, and that trend is only going to continue. Analysts expect the market to be worth nearly 33 billion dollars by 2022.
It can provide a wide range of benefits that companies are now beginning to recognize. Small- to average-sized businesses are in the best position to see improvements, and the first step toward increasing the usage of OSS is promoting awareness of ways in which it can help. Similar to how online IT training can impart crucial skills to employees, open source software allows users from across the globe to build knowledge.
What Does Open Source Mean?
Unlike other types of software, open-source programs are made available along with their source codes, enabling end users to make modifications. Businesses that purchase the software also receive a license to change the code, allowing them to adjust the software based on individual needs.
The Open Source Initiative is a non-profit that’s among the leaders in promoting open-source technology. They define open-source software as any program in alignment with a set of ten criteria. Some of these include the distribution of source code, the ability to operate the program using various technologies, and allowing users to distribute their own derived works.
Open Source vs. Traditional Software
Most commercial business software is considered the intellectual property of its creator, and its providers therefore do not make the source code available. In contrast, the maintenance and improvement of open-source software is a collaborative effort. Consequently, the intellectual property belongs to everyone who has worked on the source code.
The Benefits Of Open Source
Many people prefer open-source programs simply because they save money, but there are many other benefits. If an open-source program has a bug or glitch, for example, it’s likely to be taken care of quickly by a user who needs it to work.
This makes the need to wait for a business to respond irrelevant. Additionally, busy programmers can hone their skills while helping others keep their access to important programs.
Common Examples Of Open-Source Programs
While open-source software is becoming more prevalent, many popular programs are based on existing open-source technology. All of the items on this list are open-source:
- Python
- Thunderbird
- Apache
- Firefox
- PHP
These pieces of software have helped demonstrate the benefits of open-source programs and promote their adoption by a wider audience.
The Future Of Open-Source Software
While open-source was formerly dominated by smaller companies, larger enterprises are beginning to take notice. Open-source has quickly become a major player in the software world.
Facebook, Yahoo, Microsoft, and IBM are just a few examples of large businesses implementing open-source software. As analysts are forecasting continued growth in the market, we can expect even more programs to be open-source in the near-future.
I hope you enjoyed this article about the evolution of open source programming in the business world.
Interested in more articles about business software and tech?
Read My Posts:
- The Benefits Of Machine Learning For Business
- Introduction To Personal Cloud Security
Read More Bootstrap Business Below
