open source software

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "open source software" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to software whose source code is made freely available and can be modified and redistributed. For example, "The company developed a new program using open source software, enabling it to reduce costs substantially."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Support Open Source software.

Harvard University

BOINC is open source software.

University of California, Berkeley

Open Gender Tracker is open source software.

The Guardian

PASS is an open source software project.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The machine runs on free, open source software.

The New York Times

"Open source software" seems a radical approach indeed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

What about open-source software?

Harvard Business Review

Arc4nix is open-source software.

Computers & Geosciences

Who inspired the open-source software movement.

The Guardian - Books

Look again at open-source software projects.

Harvard Business Review

Interested in free & open-source software?

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "open source software" when referring to software that meets the open source definition, ensuring that the source code is available for modification and redistribution.

Common error

Avoid using "open source" and "free software" interchangeably. While related, they represent slightly different philosophies. "Open source" focuses on the practical benefits of publicly available code, while "free software" emphasizes the ethical freedom of users.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "open source software" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adjective to describe a type of software. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates that the software's source code is available for modification and distribution.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

24%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Science & Research

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "open source software" is a noun phrase correctly used to describe software with publicly accessible and modifiable source code. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse fields like academia, news, and science. While often associated with no cost, the key defining feature is the licensing that permits modification and distribution. Remember to use this term accurately, distinguishing it from "free software" and specifying the license when necessary for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

free and open-source software

Emphasizes the dual nature of being both free (as in freedom) and open source.

FOSS (free and open source software)

A common abbreviation for free and open source software.

FLOSS (free/libre and open source software)

Includes the term 'libre' to further clarify the 'free' aspect as freedom, not just price.

community-developed software

Highlights the collaborative development process typical of open source projects.

collaboratively developed software

Focuses on the joint effort involved in creating and maintaining the software.

source-available software

Indicates that the source code is accessible, but might not necessarily be under an open source license.

shared-source software

Similar to source-available, emphasizing the sharing of the source code.

publicly accessible software

Highlights the public availability of the software, which can be broader than just open source.

non-proprietary software

Contrasts with proprietary software, emphasizing the lack of exclusive ownership.

copyleft software

Refers to open source software licenses that require derivative works to also be open source.

FAQs

How is "open source software" used in a sentence?

You can use "open source software" to describe a program or system whose source code is available to the public, like in the sentence, "The project utilizes "open source software" to ensure transparency and community involvement."

What are some alternatives to saying "open source software"?

Depending on the context, you can use terms like "free and open-source software" (FOSS), "community-developed software", or "non-proprietary software".

What's the difference between "open source software" and "free software"?

"Open source software" focuses on the practical advantages of publicly accessible code, while "free software" emphasizes the user's freedom to use, study, modify, and distribute the software. Though the terms often overlap, they stem from slightly different philosophies.

Is all "open source software" also free of charge?

While much "open source software" is available without cost, the "open source" designation refers to the licensing terms regarding the code's use and modification, not necessarily its price. Developers can charge for "open source software" as long as they adhere to the license's terms regarding source code availability.