Open source software is a type of software that allows users and other developers to modify its source code as needed, as opposed to closed source or proprietary software which denies users the access to its source code. With open source software, users can easily take care of any problems or issues which arise while using it. This type of innovation allows users to quickly customize and control their software, with access to support from the developer when needed.
The history of open source software goes back a long way. Along with the boom of computers and technology in the modern age, issues with the patenting and licensing of software have turned into a very profitable business. However, the beginning of the first software did develop from the free model of open source.
Back in 1971, an MIT or Massachusetts Institute of Technology employee, Richard Stallman, got involved in open source software. However, he claimed that the open sourcing community has actually been around for a couple of years before his participation. Some of the user groups during the early period would include the DECUS group from DEC or Digital Equipment Corporation and the SHARE group from IBM 701. Back then, the existing operating systems, such as UNIX, provided the academics and the corporate researchers with the template for their work. During that time, open source software proved to very valuable as there was a variety of hardware systems that existed, so modifiable software was necessary in order to adjust to the technological requirements of each situation.
A couple of years later, in 1983, Stallman launched a project called the GNU project that aimed to write an operating system that has a source code which is available to the public. Shortly after the project was launched, he coined the term “free software” and established the Free Software Foundation. He and his team was in the process of almost completing the operating system’s first version when they came across some problems associated with the GNU Herd, which was the kernel of their system. It was pushing back the integration of all the already developed components.
During the same time that Stallman and his team were having problems, Linus Torvalds developed and released the source code Linux Kernel in 1991. It was simpler but more functional compared to the GNU Herd. Once Stallman and his team incorporated the Linux code into their work, it gave way to the birth of the first free computer operating system, GNU/Linux or Linux and is still available up to this day.
