källkodsprogramvara

Källkodsprogramvara, often referred to as open source software, is computer software released under a license that grants users the right to study, change, and distribute the software to anyone and for any purpose. The source code, the human-readable set of instructions that a computer program is written in, is made available to the public. This contrasts with proprietary software, where the source code is typically kept secret and users are only granted the right to use a compiled, non-modifiable version.

The concept of källkodsprogramvara emerged in the late 1980s with the free software movement, championed by Richard Stallman. The core principle is freedom for users to control the software they use. Benefits often cited include transparency, as the code can be inspected for security vulnerabilities or bugs, and flexibility, allowing users or developers to adapt the software to their specific needs.

Community collaboration is a hallmark of källkodsprogramvara. Developers from around the world can contribute to projects, leading to rapid development and innovation. This collaborative model has fostered the creation of many widely used and influential software systems, including operating systems like Linux, web browsers like Firefox, and databases like MySQL. While often associated with being free of charge, the "free" in free software refers to liberty, not price. Companies and individuals can also offer commercial support or develop proprietary add-ons for källkodsprogramvara.