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OpenSource generally refers to Software released an the GNU or similar license.

Basically it means that the source code is available to anyone and you can modify it to do what you like.

Compare Free and FreeSoftware.

Not all software that is OpenSource is also Free though... for example, some software (such as old proprietary Unixes, or SunMicrosystems' "Community Source" License) let you view the source code but not distribute it. Other software may have the source available but not let you use it commercially. DebianLinux has a "non-Free" section for software that it may legally distribute (including many OpenSource programs) but does not meet the project's definition of FreeSoftware.


CategoryPolitics