sulekha
I am new to linux. Can anyone explain me the difference between Free software and Open source software ?
ray
In a nutshell, Open Source software must have the source code available -"free" software, i.e. "freeware" does not - the creator might distribute only the executables. Most Open Source software is distributed under one or another license which places some restrictions on reuse.
Peter Kohlmann
Thats not at all the description.
"Free software" means just that, you can't take away the freedoms of it. It usually comes with a GPL licence. You can't make it closed source
"Freeware" is something entirely different, and it is mainly a windows thing.
> Most Open Source software is distributed under one or another license which places some restrictions on reuse.
OSS does not /need/ to use the GPL or compatible licence. It can also use the BSD licence. It is still Open Source then, but under that licence anyone can pick it up, add his own code to it and market it under a non-free, closed source licence
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