Open Source

Typically, the team at Tentacle Solutions would steer clear of Open Source. Open Source usually refers to a computer program where the source code is readily available to the general public for use or modification from its original design. The code is out under the terms of a software license. Others may then download, modify and sell their versions back to the community. As you may have guessed, private companies will have no wish to be part of this.

However, most of the time, the code is not free (a popular misconception). Often, the original developers will charge a small fee for the open-source software they create

Typically, you will find that open-source software is developed collaboratively, relying on peer review and community production. This does make the whole exercise a little more interesting as the benefits of open source compared to closed source software become more apparent. These benefits include:

- Control

- Training

- Stability

- Community

As you may have gathered, open-source software is often cheaper, more flexible, and has more staying power than closed source software because it is developed by communities rather than a single author or company. Closed source software is when the author, team, or organisation that created it maintains exclusive control over it.

Interestingly, the Open Source movement in software has led to the creation of many large institutions to support the development of open source.  An example is the Apache Software Foundation.

Despite the team at Tentacle’s views, Open Source technology is beneficial. It benefits both programmers and non-programmers. Here is a good example: every time you click on a website or you check your email, you are connected to a global network of computers using open source software to route and transmit the data to your device.