What is Open Source?

What is Open source???

 Let's say you are a programmer, Alright.

And you have created a tool which is very helpful for other programmers, you celebrate your success but you are in dilemma what to do about the  future like:

• How will the tool reach the people??
• How will it be supported and improved over time?

 One Popular option is keeping the recipe private making it commercial product and competing with others tool makers.

Here you stay in control of tool and have an potential of making business around it. When a tool like software is under control of a company or an individual and the source code is private it is called Closed Source or Proprietary Software. In most cases the holder puts restrictions on the tools use. Keeps the source Code Secret and MAY maintain and support the source code. 

This can work very well but it also comes with risks like if you are not able to make profit it maybe difficult to support and maintain the product.

Another Option is to fundamentally think differently about the future of your tool , it's called Open source.

Here you controlling the source code you encourage its sharing.

For Example a open source software may state that a you can 1. Make Copies, 2. Modify, 3. Edit source code to make new copies.

As long as these copies are freely shared the person can use it. Your Toll will be maintained by many volunteers around the world. This will relate to constant free bug-free tool without any money given. These Volunteers are driven by sense of giving back to community and being part of one.