Open Source Development - From Base To Its Importance In Recent Times

By Author: salvadorhaley
Total Articles: 9
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Collaboration is a single word which defines open source in its entirety. Open source development thus refers to developing applications collaboratively. It has been introduced and promoted to ensure high quality software development and its reliability by rapid source code evolution and encouraging peer review. Open source development software allows users to freely read, modify and redistribute it and thus proves to be a great tool set for PHP web development process. For this it should be OSI (Open System Interconnection), certified.

Besides providing access to source code all platforms used for open source development should completely match the 10 points as below to be called open source :

1) Free redistribution : Everyone will be allowed to use, sell or distribute the software without any royalty or other similar fees.

2) Source code : It is mandatory that all pulpits for open source development provide source code and allow its distribution as it is or in compiled form. Yes some part of the product may not be distributed with the source code but there should be provision to allow developers download ...
... the code either freely or for a very small price. Applications developed using the open source development platform should be editable using the source code.

3) Derived works : The license should allow users to modify and derive applications from the original application without any restrictions. They should be allowed to distribute the application under the original license with the same terms.

4) Author integration : The license for open source development may restrict distribution of the source code in the modified form if it includes clause related to the source code distribution with the patch files for modifying it. Software built from modified source code should be allowed for free distribution. Derived works may be required to carry name or version details different from the original one.

5) Discrimination free : Now this is obvious, license for open source development should not contain any clause with regards to discrimination for its use among people or group.

6) No discrimination on its use : Open source development platform should be allowed for use in any direction whether it is business or any other field.

7) License distribution : Right of use for the open source development automatically applies to all those to whom it is redistributed without any licensing.

8) No product specific license : If the program developed using open source development platform is distributed along with some other program then the terms of the program's license will apply to the application.

9) Completely free use of other software : License must not restrict other software in any form from being used with the open source development platform.

10) Technology-neutral license : It should not influence any technology or individual style of interface.

Benefits or importance of open source development : The biggest benefit of open source development is cost. It involves less cost as compared to other platforms and there are no license related issues. Companies using open source can also benefit from large communities who are there to help them in case of any query and to better the code. Open source continuously sees update from developers around the world. Hence companies get the chance to use the latest versions and features of the platform for absolutely no cost. The best example of Open source techniques could be PHP web development.

eTatvasoft specializes in open source development especially PHP web development. Use of latest versions of the platform and experienced professionals has resulted in its success.