Closed Source

Information about Closed Source

Closed source is a term for software whose license does not meet the definition of open-source software. Generally, it means only the binaries of a computer program are distributed and the license provides no access to the program's source code, rendering modifications to the software technically impossible for practical purposes. The source code of such programs is usually regarded as a trade secret of the company. Access to source code by third parties commonly requires the party to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Name ambiguity

The phrase "closed source" is ambiguous because it implies licensing where the source code to a program is unavailable. However, if taken as being an antonym to open source, it refers to software that does not meet the Open Source Definition, which is a subtly different meaning.

Microsoft's Shared source is an example of licensing where the source code is made available but not under an open-source license. If Closed source is interpreted as referring to software that does not meet the Open Source Definition, then Shared source is an example of Closed source licensing. However, if it is interpreted as simply referring to programs where the source code is not available, this isn't the case.

Encumbered code

When a part of source or binary code used in an open source software is closed-source or patented (it is often the case for device drivers, for example), it is referred as encumbered code. Examples of such code are:

Some device drivers used in open-sourced operating systems.
Parts that were bought by the primary author from the third parties under non-free conditions at the time, when this author was not expecting to release the project as free software. This happened with Java.

A software license comprises the permissions, rights and restrictions imposed on software (whether a component or a free-standing program). Use of software without a license could constitute infringement of the owner's exclusive rights under copyright or, occasionally, patent law
..... Click the link for more information.

Open source software is computer software which source code is available under a license (or arrangement such as the public domain) that meets the Open source definition. This permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified
..... Click the link for more information.

binary file is a computer file which may contain any type of data, encoded in binary form for computer storage and processing purposes; for example, computer document files containing formatted text.
..... Click the link for more information.

A computer program is one or more instructions that are intended for execution by a computer. Specifically, it is a symbol or combination of symbols forming an algorithm that may or may not terminate, and that algorithm is written in a programming language.
..... Click the link for more information.

source code (commonly just source or code) is any sequence of statements and/or declarations written in some human-readable computer programming language.
..... Click the link for more information.

trade secret is a formula, practice, process, design, instrument, pattern, or compilation of information used by a business to obtain an advantage over competitors or customers. In some jurisdictions, such secrets are referred to as "confidential information".
..... Click the link for more information.

A non-disclosure agreement (NDA), also called a confidential disclosure agreement (CDA), confidentiality agreement or secrecy agreement, is a legal contract between at least two parties that outlines confidential materials or knowledge the parties
..... Click the link for more information.

Open source is a set of principles and practices that promote access to the design and production of goods and knowledge. The term is most commonly applied to the source code of software that is available to the general public with relaxed or non-existent intellectual property
..... Click the link for more information.

The Open Source Definition is used by the Open Source Initiative to determine whether or not a software license can be considered open source. The definition was based on the Debian Free Software Guidelines, written and adapted primarily by Bruce Perens.
..... Click the link for more information.

Shared source is Microsoft’s framework for sharing computer program source code with individuals and organizations. Microsoft’s Shared Source Initiative includes a spectrum of technologies and licenses. Most of its offerings are available for download by anyone.
..... Click the link for more information.

An open-source license is a copyright license for computer software that makes the source code available under terms that allow for modification and redistribution without having to pay the original author.
..... Click the link for more information.

patent is a set of exclusive rights granted by a state to a patentee for a fixed period of time in exchange for a disclosure of an invention.

The procedure for granting patents, the requirements placed on the patentee and the extent of the exclusive rights vary widely
..... Click the link for more information.

A device driver, or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a computer hardware device.

A driver typically communicates with the device through the computer bus or communications subsystem to which the hardware is
..... Click the link for more information.

An operating system (OS) is the software that manages the sharing of the resources of a computer. An operating system processes system data and user input, and responds by allocating and managing tasks and internal system resources as a service to users and programs of the
..... Click the link for more information.

Free software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions only to ensure that further recipients can also do these things.
..... Click the link for more information.

The legal aspects of technology involve many different terms. This page attempts to provide short and accurate definitions of these terms, as they pertain to technology, with links to more information in Wikipedia.
..... Click the link for more information.

Proprietary software (also called non-free software or closed-source software) is software with restrictions on using, copying and modifying as enforced by the proprietor.
..... Click the link for more information.

This article or section is written like a personal reflection or and may require .
Please [ improve this article] by rewriting this article or section in an . (, talk)

Open source (or free software) and closed source
..... Click the link for more information.

This article is copied from an article on Wikipedia.org - the free encyclopedia created and edited by online user community. The text was not checked or edited by anyone on our staff. Although the vast majority of the wikipedia encyclopedia articles provide accurate and timely information please do not assume the accuracy of any particular article. This article is distributed under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License.

Herod_Archelaus

iPedia Free Information Center