Tiếng Việt
Jan
Open Source Software (OSS) has become an indispensable trend in the modern technology world. With its flexibility and strong community-driven nature, open source software not only allows users to freely access and customize source code, but also encourages collaboration and innovation from millions of developers worldwide.
1. What Is Open Source Software?
Open source software refers to software whose source code is publicly shared by developers so that the community can participate in developing and improving the product across versions. Anyone can access the source code to freely use it or contribute enhancements in both design and functionality. Open source software products do not require license fees and are not restricted by proprietary usage conditions.
Some well-known products developed from open source include:
- Operating systems based on Linux: Fedora, Ubuntu, SuSE, OpenSolaris…
- Content Management Systems (CMS): WordPress, Joomla, Drupal…
- Enterprise management systems: Odoo, Bitrix24…
- Other popular software: Mozilla Firefox, OpenOffice, FileZilla…
This raises an important question: why do people develop open source software? To answer this, we need to examine the major limitations of proprietary software systems.
2. Barriers That Make Proprietary Software Difficult to Access
Some of the most prominent proprietary software providers in the world today include Microsoft, SAP, Oracle, Adobe, Salesforce, and others.
2.1 Licensing Costs of Proprietary Software
As we know, for software vendors, the primary goal is business. Their products are sold to users in exchange for licensing fees, commonly referred to as licenses. Licensing revenue is the lifeblood of proprietary software companies.
Because proprietary software is considered high-value intellectual property, licensing fees are often very expensive. This makes such software difficult to access for general users such as students, individuals, or small businesses.
2.2 Lack of Flexibility for Custom Development
When proprietary software developers release their products to the market, they usually deliver pre-packaged features based on initial requirements.
If users later need additional functionality tailored to their specific needs, they must fully depend on the original vendor and cannot independently extend or customize the software.
However, individual users and businesses often have diverse and evolving requirements. This lack of flexibility becomes a significant barrier when using proprietary software.
3. How Open Source Software Works
Open source code is typically stored in public repositories, allowing anyone to access, use, or contribute improvements to both design and functionality. Open Source Software (OSS) usually comes with distribution licenses that clearly define how developers may use, study, modify, and distribute the software.
According to the Synopsys Black Duck® KnowledgeBase, some of the most common open source licenses include:
- MIT License
- GNU General Public License (GPL) 2.0 – considered more restrictive, requiring modified code to be publicly released
- Apache License 2.0
- GNU General Public License (GPL) 3.0
- BSD License 2.0 – or modified versions with three clauses
When source code is modified, OSS licenses typically require disclosure of the changes and methods used. Depending on the license terms, derivative software may be required to be released freely to the public.
4. What Are the Benefits of Using Open Source Software?
4.1 Free to Use
You can use open source software for personal or commercial purposes without paying licensing fees. Unlike proprietary software that limits features or charges additional costs, open source software allows nearly unlimited customization at no cost.
4.2 High Security
Although open source software is free, it often provides excellent security. This is because open source projects are built and reviewed by large communities of skilled developers. If vulnerabilities arise, they are usually detected and fixed quickly through community collaboration.
4.3 Full Customization Freedom
You have complete access to the source code, allowing you to manage and modify the code structure to suit your specific needs. This freedom also encourages developers to build additional useful software based on open source foundations.
4.4 High Stability
Many websites and systems built on open source software have operated stably for years without major issues. This stability stems from the principle that open source software is optimized for broad community usage, often resulting in more reliable performance than many proprietary systems.
5. Should You Use Open Source Software or Proprietary Software?
The choice between Open Source Software (OSS) and Proprietary Software depends on your specific needs and goals. Each type has its own strengths and limitations. Below is a comparison between open source and proprietary software:
| Cost | Free or low cost | Usually requires licensing and maintenance fees |
| Source Code Access | Public source code, editable and extendable | Closed source, cannot be accessed or modified |
| Customization | Unlimited customization | Limited or not customizable |
| Community Support | Large community-driven support | Official vendor support, often professional |
| Security | Transparent, vulnerabilities easily detected and fixed | Generally secure, but users must trust the vendor |
| Update & Bug Fix Speed | Fast, driven by continuous community contributions | Dependent on vendor development schedules |
| Stability | May vary depending on community maturity | Often more stable due to strict release testing |
| Technical Support | Informal, mainly via forums and communities | Official support, often with 24/7 services |
| Usage Rights | Free to use, distribute, and develop new software | Restricted by license terms |
| Best For | Developers or organizations seeking full system control | Businesses or general users needing stability and professional support |
In summary, if you value flexibility, creative freedom, and have a strong technical team, open source software is an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize stability, ease of use, and professional vendor support, proprietary software may be more suitable.
