Free software and open-source software are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and philosophies underlying them. At their core, both terms emphasize the importance of access to source code and the freedom to modify it. However, the primary difference lies in the focus on rights versus the development model. Free software emphasizes the user's freedom and community approach, while open-source focuses more on the practical benefits of collaborative development.
Free software, championed by the Free Software Foundation and its founder Richard Stallman, is built around the idea of freedom: users should have the liberty to run, modify, and share software without restrictions. This philosophy is encapsulated in the four essential freedoms: the freedom to use the software for any purpose, the freedom to study and change the software, the freedom to redistribute copies, and the freedom to distribute modified versions. For instance, the GNU/Linux operating system embodies these principles, allowing users to control their computing environment fully.
On the other hand, open-source software is a term that revolves around the openness of the code and the development methodology. The Open Source Initiative defines open source with specific criteria that software must meet, such as no discrimination against fields of endeavor or users. Open-source projects typically focus on collaborative development among programmers, emphasizing transparency and peer review for improving software quality. A classic example is the Apache HTTP Server, which is developed collaboratively by a community of developers and organizations, showcasing how open-source practices can lead to high-quality, widely-used software through collective effort.
Overall, while both free software and open-source software promote access to code and collaborative development, their underlying philosophies differ. Free software prioritizes user freedom and ethical considerations, while open-source emphasizes collaborative development and practical benefits. Developers and technical professionals may choose to align with either philosophy depending on their values, goals, and the specific contexts in which they are working.