Introduction
What Exactly is Open Source Development?
Open source development is the process of developing computer software in a collaborative manner by multiple individuals, typically with the involvement of an open-source community. It is often contrasted with closed source software development (where programming is done by employees within a company), although there is some degree of overlap between the two.
The term “open source” or free and open-source software (FOSS) was originally used in 1998 to describe computer software that can be freely used, studied, modified, and redistributed without restrictions.
It’s a good thing that open source is no longer considered an underdog. In fact, its popularity has been exploding like a volcano ever since it first appeared.
There’s no reason to say NO to it in 2022 – in fact, it is to be analyzed that it is here to stay for many years to come. The main reason for the success of this software doesn’t just come down to it being “free” – it’s also because it includes amazing benefits for developers.
With these types of computer programs, developers can develop specific techniques for developing programs and their development skills will increase tremendously. Open-source development has taken over the development of most of the world’s software systems. There are very few closed-source or proprietary software systems left.
If you have any doubts, please let me know.
Open Source development continues to shine like a star in the evening sky. To find out why let’s dive a little deeper into it.
Open-source development has existed for a while, but the origins are unclear.
It was in 1991 when Linus Torvalds, a computer science student, said he would use Linux for fun. He also said that it wouldn’t be as big and professional as Gnu. He had no idea that his hobby would turn out to be the origin of the world’s first free operating system, Linux. Linux begat open software, which is now commonplace.
After three decades later, there is a great accomplishment. The open-source development has been a spark in the right direction for businesses and is essential for all organizations to succeed along with providing guaranteed success. I’ve been seeing a lot of open-source development lately and it’s great to see. It’s everywhere from small companies to large firms. I think this is a positive trend because it helps developers stay up on their latest skills for free, and there are so many jobs all over the world where this would be useful, given the current economy. The open-source model of development and deployment is driving change in the business world.
Open Source Development: Business Status
When proprietary development companies and leading web design agencies dominated the market, open-source development was in the race but picked up momentum lately. This has mainly been due to COVID-19. The world markets and economy have really taken a hit because of the pandemic. Luckily, there are free open source solutions that provide robust support for remote organizations.
Examples of this are Microsoft, IBM, and Amazon. Earlier, Microsoft wasn’t open source and was limited to a specific fixed space. But with the growing popularity of open-source space, Microsoft realized this and came up with the .Net Core framework, which is open source and accepted globally.
According to Github’s latest figures, the number of open-source projects produced in that time grew by 40%. The use of open source development is an excellent win. It’s not all done though.
Open-source development is becoming increasingly popular. Open-source software like WordPress, for example, is used by millions of websites and has helped to make open-source popular.
Open Source Development wasn’t always popular or accepted, but its origin reflects the ground-breaking attitude that early developers had. The ’50s saw a major shift in technology due to military needs.
According to a Red Hat® report, 90% of IT leaders use open-source software. Some studies show that open source software is plain more secure than proprietary software. Open-source development is highly demanded by enterprises because of the benefits, like better security, higher quality, and access to innovation.
The primary advantage of open-source software is that lots of people can work on it, so you want to know that this kind of software is integral to cloud operating systems and edge computing architectures too. Linux has been heralded as the best cloud operating system due to its flexibility & robustness, which makes it perfect for deploying at the edge. According to Fortune Business Insights, the Linux OS market size is expected to grow from $USD15.64 billion in 2018 to $USD18.82 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 19.2%
If the first open-source operating system is gaining so much recognition in the market, you can imagine the results of coming enterprise software designed with open source development. Here’s what I found out about how many repositories are currently relying on open source:
You may also have heard of TensorFlow before. It is an open-source intelligence software released by Google and it can be a great choice for building machine learning models.
NASA open source projects such as SpaceX API, Fprime, Webworldwind, Pulse, and Pnasa are an important part of how open source development is expanding with increasing popularity.
Developers are using open-source software more, which is influencing its development. The popularity of open-source development is continuing to rise.
Why Open Source Is Different
Open-source software is different in many ways from other types of software. To understand how it differs, let’s take a look at some important differences.
Cost-effective
Companies relying on proprietary software for their business will be at a disadvantage and might not be sustainable. They’ll always need to be paying the companies developing software programs and their staff which will eventually lead to them running out of money or time. Open-source software is created in a collaborative process involving the general public. The result? Better quality code for you to use. This technology is for paid users only, but it does have its own set of benefits. If you need to edit or rewrite anything free-of-charge, anything you get from commercial vendors is available… But the open-source software has its own set of legal terms and restrictions, as well as different licenses… This is the reason it is important to keep your open-source software licensed.
Here are popular public domain licenses that you should know about.
Fully accessed and customized
Open software is developed openly and with blaring transparency. However, proprietary software and closed source development offer a level of confidentiality that’s favorable in certain contexts. But open-source code can be quickly modified and tested. It’s also free to share among developers.
Highly stable
Open-source software is much more stable than proprietary software since it operates on an open standard which allows companies to build long-term projects around it. For many business owners, open-source is the preferred choice when considering long-term plans.
Large community
Open-source software has a very large community behind it and boasts a high level of diversity which can provide a variety of new technical solutions. This is shaping the future as people collaborate with one another to build better software. In the words of Phillippe Kahn –
“The power of open-source is the power of people – the people rule”
A problem may have many potential solutions, but it’s up to you and some other developers to figure out which one of them is feasible and appropriate. You need the collaboration of some devs in order to come up with an appropriate solution for a given problem.
Secure
Developers can create a custom version of an open-source system using a Platform. The developers looking to implement clean code in the Software can do so with this platform. Open-source Software becomes much more resilient and secure in the process. However, in closed software development projects, some limitations may halt the smoothness of the process. For example, hardware requirements may up-end development which leads to unexpected expenses.
Liability
Not only is it common for developers to want to bear down and improve on the software you already have, but it’s also popular to make your own software which you can view and edit the source code should you choose. The key difference between closed-source and proprietary software development is that developers will not be able to see the whole program if they develop closed-source or proprietary software.
Revenue
Open-source development works wonders for improving revenue. It allows you to customize your website or software according to your users’ evolving needs. With timely deliveries, your customers will stay happier for longer – which results in a faster-growing business for you. You’ll be able to build more trust with your customers which will help you grow your business and improve your services… Outsourcing your company’s work can save you a lot of time and money.
On the other end of the spectrum, there’s also closed source or proprietary software development. This can be set up and run easier but doesn’t result in significant benefits like open-source software.
In 2022, an Open-source be the next big thing?
Lots of people are talking about how open source development is the next big thing. In response to the skyrocketing demand for cloud software, open-source software has seen a huge upswing in recent years. As digital technology has transformed industries and reshaped the workplace, Open Source projects have also made tremendous strides in changing the way we do business. Open Source projects can help you solve or avoid problems and bring new value to your company.
Thanks to its numerous security features, you can be assured of your data’s safety. Hackers are prevented from accessing sensitive information. Open source development isn’t new & small these days. It’s rapidly growing in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Final Thoughts
If you have been thinking open-source developments are still in the development stage, it’s one of the biggest misconceptions. Open source development has been growing rapidly. Open source is now everywhere. Why not take advantage of open-source development while it’s at its peak? Walmart has incorporated it into their own company and has had tremendous success with OneOps, their cloud management tool.
Aside from that, the former Microsoft CEO once said Linux was like a cancerous disease – but they rely on open source projects for their own products. Some of the most significant giants in technology have been using open-sourced software for some time now.
I hope this article has given you a better understanding of the open-source development process and it has made you curious to explore more about it.