StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Open Source Versus Closed Source Software - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper "Open Source Versus Closed Source Software" highlights that there are several pros and cons of each type of software; therefore, it cannot be generalized that either open or closed source software would be a better choice for every organization or educational institution or personal usage…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.3% of users find it useful
Open Source Versus Closed Source Software
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Open Source Versus Closed Source Software"

?Open Source Software Open-source software (OSS) is computer software which is available with not only the source but also the right of redistributing the source code along with all the modifications and the works derived. Moreover, the license of the open source software allows the users to learn, revise, modify, upgrade, and also to share out the software without any cost. The open source software’s license neither discriminates against a person / group nor any field’s endeavor. The license of the open source software must not be specific to any product and restrict other software, whereas, the license should be technology neutral (Open Source Initiative, n.d). Currently, there are a huge number of categories of the open source software that include but not limited to the Application Software, Operating Systems, Programming Languages and Server Software. Under each category there are many items / applications, for example, the application software include: Mozilla Firefox – a web browser, OpenOffice – an office suit, Eclipse – an integrated development environment, 7-zip – a file archiver or compressor etc. The operating systems include: the Linux, Android – a mobile OS, FreeBSD etc. The open source computer programming languages include: PHP – a scripting language used to develop websites, Perl, Ruby etc. The open source server software include: Apache – a web server, Joomla – a web content management system etc. Closed Source Software Closed source software also known as proprietary software is computer software which is only available without source code and licensed under limited legal right as per provided by the copyright owner. The buyer of the propriety software is permitted to use the software having restrictions on modifications, redistribution, update / upgrade or reverse engineering and it is typically owned by a single organization. The vendors usually provide an executable or compiled form of the software application’s source code so that only the central processing unit of the computer can understand the machine language that cannot be converted into the source code. The propriety software is not allowed to redistribute or sharing the software with others, in case anybody else wanted to use the proprietary software it is required to purchase another unique license of the software. In other words, the proprietary software is the property of the owner / developer / publisher that cannot be copied or modified, with an appropriate price and need to comply the license agreement (National Taiwan University, 1991). Like the open source software, the proprietary software has much more categories of the software include: Operating System, Computer Programming Languages, software applications, public domain software, private software etc. There are several examples including Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Programming languages – ASP.Net etc., Microsoft Office etc. Open vs. Closed Source Software – Advantages and Disadvantages For every advantage there exists disadvantage, therefore, both types of software have there exist advantages as well as disadvantages. Let’s talk about the advantages of both types, the advantages of the open source software include: free of cost, right to modify and redistribute the source code, the technology neutral or the open source software can be used with other software, freedom and flexibility of having multiple vendors, high security, quality, customizability, interoperability and audibility. "Open Source software tends to be free of dependency on related products. Purchasers often perceive that the product works best with other products from the same manufacturer. Open Source software offers its users greater freedom to purchase other products, avoiding lock-in to particular manufacturers." (QinetiQ, 2001) There are many disadvantages of the open source software as compared to the closed source software that include but not limited to the less availability of support, updates, less reliability as anyone can change / edit the code and redistribute, the cost of installation gets high usually, as most of the open source software are not compatible with Windows operating system. And it may require to change the operating system to run open source software, one of the main disadvantages of the open source software is to keep track of the latest version of the software, as many updates are being done simultaneously. On the other hand the advantages of closed source or proprietary software include: the stable software support, easy availability of updates, vendor professional services, easier to adopt in an organization, requires less IT support, high quality product functionality, the responsibility of the vendors to develop high quality software so that it can be sold easily, proprietary companies create much innovation, complete help and guidance available to use the software. Whereas, the disadvantages of the proprietary software include: the high cost of procuring as well as any improvements after deployment, customizing the proprietary software is more difficult and involves high costs, moreover, the users are not allowed to distribute (Lewis, 2012). Personal Usage Perspective Keeping in view usage of either proprietary or open source software, it is worthwhile to mention that the open source software is usually less usable or difficult to use as compared to the proprietary software. The main examples of the open source software are the Open Office and Linux, both are difficult to use as compared to the proprietary software including Microsoft Office and Windows are comparatively much easier to use. However, the usability factor cannot be generalized as there are many open source software including the Mozilla Firefox and 7-zip which have similar interface and using capabilities as compared to the proprietary software. It is recommended for the developers to use open source computer languages and databases that include: PHP for development of websites and MySQL (structured query language), Joomla etc. Educational Perspective From the past many years the Open Source Initiative (OSI) is working to aware the educational sector to use the open source software in universities. The OSI is engaging to present open source technologies, collaboration and community at workshops, seminars, projects and conferences in universities all around the world. However, the usage of open source technologies is less as compared to the proprietary software, but it would be enhanced with the passage of time. Moreover, by using the open source software in the universities, the students gets enough right to study, moreover, in order to experiment they can edit and update the open source software as well. Enterprise Perspective Currently the organizations are using much more open source software and it can be noticed when you open a web browser connecting to the internet, most of the websites have been developed in PHP, using database MySQL or PostgreSQL, moreover, using the open source web server Apache Web and most of these software is running the free Linux Operating System. Moreover, many open source Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is available in the market that can be deployed in an organization by just paying a little amount as compared to the proprietary software. On the other hand, if the organization is mission critical or can afford the cost of the proprietary ERP, it is recommended to deploy proprietary ERP in an organization. Conclusion It has been derived that there are several pros and cons of each type of software; therefore, it cannot be generalized that either open or closed source software would be a better choice for every organization or educational institution or personal usage. However, I think that if applicable the preferences should be given to the open source software because of the number of above mentioned reasons and justifications. Moreover, I believe that once open source software has been acquired and matured (in terms of usage and functionality) in any company or institution, the company could take a life time benefits by just updating or upgrading the software. References Open Source Initiative. (n.d). The Open Source Definition. Retrieved from: http://opensource.org/docs/osd National Taiwan University. (1991). Proprietary Software. Retrieved from: http://neuron.csie.ntust.edu.tw//homework/94/ComputerIntro/Homework1/B9415002/propdef.htm QinetiQ. (2001). Benefits of using Open Source Software. Retrieved from: http://open-source.gbdirect.co.uk/migration/benefit.html Lewis, J. (2012). Advantages and Disadvantages of a Proprietary System vs. Open Platform. Retrieved from: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-three-disadvantages-proprietary-system-vs-open-platform-38010.html Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Open Source Versus Closed Source Software Essay”, n.d.)
Open Source Versus Closed Source Software Essay. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/information-technology/1461511-open-source-versus-closed-source-software
(Open Source Versus Closed Source Software Essay)
Open Source Versus Closed Source Software Essay. https://studentshare.org/information-technology/1461511-open-source-versus-closed-source-software.
“Open Source Versus Closed Source Software Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/information-technology/1461511-open-source-versus-closed-source-software.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Open Source Versus Closed Source Software

Open Source Software

In the paper “Open source software” the author discusses open source software is becoming the most interesting part of the information technology.... hellip; The author states that open source software has given completely new business models, which are shaping a network of groups and companies based on open source software development.... For example, Linux is a good example of open source software that is competing with Microsoft, Apple and other....
6 Pages (1500 words) Article

Comparing The Success & Future Of Open & Closed Source Software

Where closed source software is concerned, it is the short term returns from the software that assume a greater level of importance; as a result quality may sometimes be sacrificed in order to ensure that a piece of software is produced within stipulated deadlines.... As opposed to the earlier practice of one Company exclusively handling the design, production, sales, delivery and service of software packages, there is now a high level of collaboration and… Open source software has been emerging as an increasingly viable option for organizations in the future....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

Open Source and Open Standards in E-commerce

This paper “open source and Open Standards in E-commerce” presents a detailed analysis of the open source technique and open source products.... In addition, it will critically evaluate the current market for open source products in the commercial sector, and in public administration.... hellip; This paper will also outline some of the organizations that have adopted open source products.... The possible enhancements or problem analysis will also be part of this research regarding the open source technology analysis....
14 Pages (3500 words) Assignment

Mozilla Firefox 4 vs Internet Explorer 9

This paper outlines open source software, and closed source, generic criteria that are used to compare the two software types, such as security, software speed, customization, and licensing.... n Open source software is one whose source code is publically accessible without any cost.... An example of open-source software is the Mozilla Firefox web browser.... Open-source software has been volunteered by lots of individuals for free....
7 Pages (1750 words) Coursework

The Use of Linux Server and Linux Workstations in Business

The complexities of this competition to the earlier standards competitions of Apple versus IBM, Betamax versus VHS is threefold as first it is a three-way competition among Microsoft, Nokia and Linux; Nokia's competition also includes the consortium of mobile handset manufacturers, Symbian; Linux also refers to the open-source software phenomenon (Choi et al.... econdly, the competition is global, involving American, European and increasingly the global internet, through open-source software and thirdly, the involvement of the World Wide Web in open source software and Linux systems (von Hippel and von Krogh, 2003) further emphasizes the social and community aspects of this competition for the software standard for mobile phones....
8 Pages (2000 words) Case Study

Business Information System

In other words, it is a logical and physical interaction between hardware, software, data, information, communication, applications, and people.... The majority of textbooks according to Mora (2003), refer to some system concepts such as input/output procedures, control mechanisms, and open systems that are all non-standard definitions of the term....
8 Pages (2000 words) Literature review

Android and iPhone Operating Systems

On the other hand, iPhone OS is a closed source operating system, founded on the Darwin model and UNIX kernel.... The created software is then sold in the Android market.... Additionally, software-based on objective C are capable of running in iPhone OS and unlike Android, one can develop applications of iPhone and sell them through App stores.... Linux kernel layer hides hardware implementing details and gives upper layer integrated services being the layer of abstract between hardware and software....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Information Systems Theory - Foundations of Business Computing

Information technology, on the other hand, can be deemed to lie under information systems, since they focus on the technology involved in systems and example is an information system such as Facebook which consist of parts such as servers, written programs code together with client computers, each of this parts form information technologies it is basically the use of computers and software for information management.... Second is data security the security mechanisms offered by database software's has simplified the process of securing organizations data....
6 Pages (1500 words) Assignment
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us