What is Open Source, and Why Should I Care?

Computer programs are hugely-complex sets of coded, written instructions.

First, what it is not... Sometimes the line between what is programming and what is not programming can be tough to see. For example, no matter what you may have heard, making a web page is not programming. The "ML" on the end of HTML, XML, OTML, and any other ML, stands for "Markup Language". Markup is not programming; it is editing and tagging bits of information. Markup Language holds information about how something should look when it does something; but it is not writing instructions to the computer (telling it what to do).

A programming language gives a computer specific instructions. "Do this. Now, do that. Now, go back and do this again." Those instructions are given in a PL -- a Programming Language -- and can range from a single line to millions of lines of very arcane and complex information. Those lines of commands are called the "source code" of an application. Or just "source", for short.

Source code is how many companies (like Apple, Microsoft, and others) get their bread and butter. Any place that sells software as a means of making money is going to jealously guard their source code, and make sure nobody outside the company can see it. Because if you see their code, and you know how to read it, you can figure out how to do what they do. Such software espionage may be illegal, but that doesn't mean it won't happen anyway.

Easy to remember: programming language can build a robot. Markup language can only indicate that the robot's hair should be purple.

What is Open?

For source to be "open", in the way that it is meant when called Open Source, that means that the original person or people who wrote the code have made the source openly available to the public. I won't go through the whole public license idea, but the general idea is this: "I wrote it. Maybe I even own it, but I like sharing. If you want, I'll let you see all the little commands. It's not a secret."

Why would somebody do this? Why would a very clever, very well-educated and experienced programmer work very hard to write a computer program, and then give it away for free? Are they nuts?

Well, there are several reasons why someone would do this. The program may be small, and not worth trying to market and sell. Or it may be a new incarnation of an existing product, like a new word processor, when people are already using one they paid for. Sometimes, it's a kind of software that's already been around so long that there's no reason to charge for it (like that word processor again). Or it could be a new product that is designed to directly compete with a commercial product, and the best way to lure customers away from the big boys is to give it away free. Lastly, it could just be someone who doesn't believe in hiding intellectual property.

All Open Source software is free, but not all free software is Open Source. You may have the right to use a free piece of software without being allowed to see the code. But let's face it, once you have the source code, you have the whole program, so it's free.

Why should you care?

Many sizable companies are claiming to be adding Open Source to their way of doing business. But what do they really mean? There are a couple ways this can happen.

1. They have no idea what that means, but they're using the buzz words to look like they do. Quite common.

2. They use Open Source and free software in their operations, but still sell their own for money, hoping to have the best of both worlds. Also quite common.

3. They use Open Source in their operations, and they also open their own source code to the public. They make their money, not by selling software, but by selling documentation, instruction, and support. Not so common, but growing as more companies learn about it.

What do you get out of it? Well, number 1 above means you get ripped off. But number 2 and 3 above mean that you gain a great deal of free software. Free to change, free meaning you don't have to pay for it, and free to not replace it every time Microsoft or Apple decide it's time for a new version.

On my computers, I still use Windows and Microsoft Office when I want to. But when it makes more sense, I use an Open Source web browser (Firefox), Open Source operating system (Ubuntu Linux), Open Source word processor and spreadsheet (Open Office), and Open Source programming tools (Netbeans). It's all free, and it's all ready for me to customize if there's something I feel the need to change.

Important for you and me: Instead of buying an operating system for $250, and an office suite for $1500, you can have one just as good for $0. And yes, you will still be able to share files with your office and your friends.

Just as important for me: Open Source software is widely documented and supported. Instead of having to pay or call an 800 number and wait for office hours, the Internet is rife with tens of thousands of people who use the software, and have the "tips and tricks" that I want.

Now you know what Open Source is, and why you should care. So what are you going to do about it?

Dr. Brewer has been writing computer software code for over 30 years, and his writings have appeared in dozens of publications, including his own site. His years as a teacher and engineer have given opportunity to help people rediscover the magical, liberating power of the words, "no" and "why".