Let's first look at the definition of free software:
"According to the definition of the Free Software Foundation , free software is software that can be freely used, copied, studied, modified, and distributed without restriction. It can be bought and sold. This freedom of restriction is the most important essence of free software. To release software as free software, it is usually to have the software distributed under a "free software license agreement," and to make the software source code public."
There is also the definition of open source software:
"Open-source software (open-source) is a new term that is defined to describe software whose source code is available to the public, and whose use, modification and distribution are not subject to license restrictions . Open source software is usually Where there is copyright, its license may contain restrictions such as : intentional protection of its open source status, notice of authorship , or control of development. " Open source " is being registered as a certification mark by the Public Interest Software Organization, which is also A means of creating a formal definition of open source.”
We can see that the difference between the two is not particularly big, but the definition of open source is looser, but the definition of free software is stricter.
The original author or the person who made the derivative version will show you the source code does not necessarily mean that he will protect your freedom, for example, it may be "TiVoized" - TiVoization means that some devices do not allow users to modify the installation in the device. GPL software, once the user modifies the software, these devices will automatically shut down and cannot be used. At present, many personal consumer products integrate GPL software, but manufacturers do not allow users to modify the software in order to protect the reliability and commercial confidentiality of the equipment, and GPL v3 vetoes this behavior, in order to protect the freedom of software from damage.
Open source software is not necessarily free, but free software must be open source software.
Free software ensures that your use of dissemination, modification, derivation and learning is unrestricted, without any control; such as the GPL agreement - it does not limit your freedom of software, it prohibits those who limit the freedom of others, or the act of privatization. Free software is when we use computers at home , at school , at work, when we use them for our own personal or public interest , not private companies, etc., trying to restrict or monitor our work .
As long as it matches the definition of open source software, it is open source software, but free software is a stricter concept than open source——
The role of open source code is to use open development methods to optimize the software as much as possible, while free software regards respect for user freedom as an ethical standard.
The main difference is in form. Free software is more of a belief: it symbolizes the spirit of sharing and communication on the Internet; open source software is true or false, and it must be meaningful if it is not open source.
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