Free and open source software

Computer

Computer is an electronic device for storing and processing data typically in binary form according to instructions given to it in variable program.

It has two parts-

  1. Hardware- Physical parts of a computer is called hardware.
                             For example CPU , keyboard, monitor etc.
     2. Software-  A collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform                                  some task on a computer system is called software.          
                            There are two types of software
                            * System software - This means an interface which helps to provide necessary                                                                        services for application software .
                                                              Example Windows, Linux etc.
                            * Application software - This software helps to do productive task for users.
                                                                    For example Word, Excel, Tally, PowerPoint etc. 

Free and open source software 

Free Software:
Some software are free not only for economic but for the following matters-
  1. Freedom to run the program
  2. Freedom to study how the program
  3. Freedom to re distribute copies
  4. Freedom to redistribute modified version.
Open Source Software:
 The term open source refers to something people can modify and share because its design is accessible by public. It is a software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify and enhance.

     Source Code: It is a part of software that most users don't ever see. Only the progamer can make change into it .

ie, Free and Open Source Software means Software in which authors can make the source code available to others who have copy, alter, inspect and share it according to their wish.   

Closed Software:
      Some software can be modified by its creators only. Such kind of software is known as closed software. Only original authors of proprietary can legally copy, inspect and alter that software .

Different types of Free and Open Source Software

1. GNU

GNU  stands for "GNU's Not UNIX" .  It is completely a free software system. It is pronounced as " guh-noo". This software is developed by "Etinne Suvasa". 

Advantages

  1. Low cost
  2. High Performance
  3. Multitasking
  4. Network Friendliness
  5. Open Source Software
  6. Stable and secure
  7. Configurability.

2. LINUX

Linux is first released on September 1991 by Linus Torvalds. It is a free and open source software predominantly used in academic settings. Formerly it is called as "Freax", then later it is named as "LINUX" that is the first name of  Linus Torvalds and Unix.

FEATURES

  1. It is a GUI ( Graphical User Interphase): It is also called X window system it is a command line based operating system but can be converted into GUI by installing packages.
  2. Multiuser capability: Multiple user can access the same system resources like memory, hard disk etc.
  3. Multitasking : More than one function can be performed simultaneously by dividing CPU time intelligently.
  4. Portability: It means that it can support different type of hard ware.
  5. Security: It provides three ways of security
  • Authenticating Security - By assigning password and login ID
  • Authorization Security  - By assigning permission to read, write and execute.
  • Encryption Security      - By converting files into an unreadable format
     6.   Live CD / USB ; All Linux distros provide live CD or USB so that users can run or try it             without installing the software.   
     7.  Support customized Keyboard : It is used worldwide hence support different language                        keyboard.
     8.  Application Support : The users can download and install many application as they wish.
     9.  File System: It provides hierarchical file system in which files and directories are arranged.
           So that it's highly secured.
    10. Open Source: It is freely available to all and is a community based development project.

How Linux is more popular for academic purposes

  1. It is an open source software.
  2. It is incredibly customize.
  3. It is a multitasking, multiuser operating system
  4. Highly secured operating system.

3. UBUNTU:  

           It is a Linux distribution based free and open software. 'Ubuntu'  is an ancient African name which means ' humanity to others'. It is officially released in 3 editions-
  1. Desktop Edition
  2. Server Edition
  3. Robots Edition
          All these editions can run on a computer alone or in a virtual machine. It is released on 20th October 2004 from Linux family. It is developed by a UK based company called Canonical Ltd. All the principles used to develop the Ubuntu software are based on the principles of Free and Open Source Software.
           It is designed for computers, smartphones and network servers.
     Every year there are two releases of ubuntu, one in April and other in October.
     The official website is-
      https://www.ubuntu.com.

FEATURES  

  • The desktop version supports all normal software on windows such as Firefox, Chrome, VLC etc.
  • It supports the office suite called ' Libre Office'
  • It has an in built e mail software called ' Thunderbrid'
  • There are a host of free applications for users to view and edit photos.
  • There are applications for video editing and sharing.
  • It is easy to find content on Ubuntu with "Smart Searching Facility".
  • It is a free operating system and is backed by a huge open source community.
KERNAL

     It is a computer program at the core of a computer operating system that has complete control over everything in the system. It  is the lowest level of any operating system.

      It is the portion of the operating system for that is always resident in memory and facilitates interaction between hardware and software components.

      It is the first layer of software loaded to the memory when a computer is boots or start up.