Sat. Apr 5th, 2025

    Category: Free Software

    Free software refers to software that gives users the freedom to run, modify, and share it. The term emphasizes the users’ liberty rather than the price of the software. It is based on the principle that software should be accessible to everyone for use, study, and improvement. The key freedoms associated with free software include:

    1. The freedom to run the software for any purpose.
    2. The freedom to study and modify the software, which requires access to its source code.
    3. The freedom to redistribute copies of the original software.
    4. The freedom to distribute modified versions of the software, allowing users to share improvements with the community.

    This philosophy contrasts with proprietary software, where users have restricted access and rights. The Free Software Foundation, founded by Richard Stallman in the 1980s, advocates for these principles and promotes the development of free software projects. Free software is often released under licenses that ensure these freedoms, such as the GNU General Public License (GPL). Free software is significant for fostering collaboration, enhancing security, and promoting educational opportunities in computing.