Free software
Free Software
Free software (pronounced /fri: ˈsɒftweər/) is a term coined by Richard Stallman and the Free Software Foundation (FSF) to describe software that can be freely used, modified, and redistributed. The term is often confused with open-source software, although there are subtle differences in philosophy and practice.
Etymology
The term "free software" was coined by Richard Stallman in the early 1980s to promote the freedom to distribute and change software. The term is not related to price, but rather to freedom. In the words of the Free Software Foundation, "free" is used in the sense of "free speech," not "free beer."
Definition
According to the Free Software Definition, free software is software that respects users' freedom and community. Roughly, it means that the users have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. Thus, "free software" is a matter of liberty, not price.
Related Terms
- Open-source software: While similar in practice to free software, open-source software focuses more on the practical benefits of sharing code, rather than the ethical or political issues emphasized by the free software movement.
- Copyleft: A type of license used by many free software projects, which allows derivative works but requires them to use the same license.
- GNU General Public License (GPL): The most widely used free software license, which guarantees end users the freedoms to run, study, share, and modify the software.
- Free and open-source software (FOSS): A term that covers both free software and open-source software.
- Proprietary software: Software that is not free or open-source, typically because the source code is kept secret and the software is distributed under restrictive licenses.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Free software
- Wikipedia's article - Free software
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