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| Ming-Wei Wu, Ying-Dar Lin, "Open Source Software Development: An Overview," Computer, vol. 34, no. 6, pp. 33-38, June, 2001. | |||
| BibTex | x | ||
| @article{ 10.1109/2.928619, author = {Ming-Wei Wu and Ying-Dar Lin}, title = {Open Source Software Development: An Overview}, journal ={Computer}, volume = {34}, number = {6}, issn = {0018-9162}, year = {2001}, pages = {33-38}, doi = {http://doi.ieeecomputersociety.org/10.1109/2.928619}, publisher = {IEEE Computer Society}, address = {Los Alamitos, CA, USA}, } | |||
| RefWorks Procite/RefMan/Endnote | x | ||
| TY - MGZN JO - Computer TI - Open Source Software Development: An Overview IS - 6 SN - 0018-9162 SP33 EP38 EPD - 33-38 A1 - Ming-Wei Wu, A1 - Ying-Dar Lin, PY - 2001 VL - 34 JA - Computer ER - | |||
Although some challenge the value of open source software development, its popularity is undisputed. This overview of open source licensing and development models describes the movement's main principles.
Whereas proprietary vendors use a closed-source model to develop their software, release it to the public, and anticipate a profit, the open source movement-- although still profitable-- relies on different practices.
Open source projects invite everyone capable of writing code to join in, leading to robust software and diverse business models. However, having multiple participants requires extensive coordination, ranging from standardizing software to offering other benefits.
Inexpensive even when packaged and sold by a third-party vendor, open source software frees developers and hardware manufacturers from following a closed-source software vendor's specifications. Open source software has also proven highly reliable as well, thanks to the continuing efforts of the programming community that develops it.
Although free software provides unprecedented flexibility, stability, and freedom of choice, various distributions tend to compete and imitate one another. This fragmentation will likely be the most prominent hurdle facing open source software's future.