Open-source software is software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance. “Source code” is the part of the software that most computer users don’t ever see; it’s the code computer programmers can manipulate to change how a piece of software—a “program” or “application”—works. For example, programmers who have access to a computer program’s source code can improve that program by adding features to it or fixing parts that don’t always work correctly. Open-source software is usually developed as a public collaboration and made freely available. The open-source movement in software began as a response to proprietary software owned by corporations.
The open-source model allows for continuous improvement and software adaptation based on users’ needs. When users encounter a bug or an issue, they can report it to the developer community, creating a fix or update. Open-source also offers transparency into how the software works and is created, which builds trust between developers and users.
Many well-known open-source projects exist, such as the Linux operating system, the Apache HTTP Server, and the Firefox web browser. While open-source software is most often associated with free and open-source software
