1. Lesson Objectives Aims You should be able to:
Define the terms open source and closed source (proprietary)
Be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each

2. Software Software is: A list of instructions Called “source code”
Written in a certain language: VB C
C++
JAVA
Arnold C
etc

3. Source
Source code is the raw program code for a piece of software
ALL software, regardless of whether it is open or closed is created from source code

4. Intellectual Property
You will know, when your coursework is done, that writing software is NOT easy.
It is a valuable and highly paid skill
So most people want to get paid for it, or profit from their hard work by selling their software

5. Open and closed source
The code making up a piece of software is called the “Source Code”
Having the source code is incredibly valuable because it shows:
HOW a piece of software works
Techniques that have been used
Which means you could copy it, use someone else’s hard work as the basis for your own or otherwise profit from their work.
You naughty person.

6. This is why most people choose NOT to let people see their code.
Open and Closed
This is why most people choose NOT to let people see their code.
Closed Source means:
Software that is proprietary. Software must be purchased or licensed in order to be used and the source code is NOT available and must NOT be altered or used elsewhere.

7. Open Source
Some people believe software should be free and opening it up allows progress to be made, people to learn and avoids discrimination.
Open Source is:
Software which is released with free, open access to all source code. This code can be freely edited, modified or examined. Any changes made MUST be published.

8. Closed + and - Advantages Disadvantages
Protects intellectual property
Can be sold for profit or to recoup development costs
All or part of the code may be licensed – if other people want to use it they pay
Is a “known quantity” making tracking down bugs/issues easier
Potentially (maybe) more secure – harder to work out how it works in order to find weaknesses
Fixed functionality (cannot be modified by users)
Problems must be fixed by only the manufacturer (delays?)
Limited life span (will have end of support date)
Increased development costs – programmers must be paid!

9. Open + and - Advantages Disadvantages
Anyone can freely view, edit and modify code
Can save a LOT of money in development costs
Not paying programmers
Basing your code on an existing base is worth a fortune (android, IOS, firefox all did this)
Anyone can contribute bug fixes – potential for quicker fixes
Anyone can add new features – potential for more rapid development
Anyone can add new features – potential to customise software for a purpose
All changes made to code must be published
You cannot profit from your intellectual property
As a programmer you are generally not paid to develop
Potential for bugs/issues to not be fixed when found

10. Examples
Find 10 examples of open source and 10 examples of closed source programs
What advantages and disadvantages can you see in one of each?
What do you think about the quality of each product?