Open Source Software

In present times, web presence is viewed as indispensible, for success of any business concern. Even the tools which are used to create and deploy websites have become much more user-friendly. The versatility as well as adaptability of the open source software, allows companies to eliminate vendor lock-in, lower their database management costs as well as quickly develop important business applications, which include, data warehousing and business intelligence.

Open source refers to a set of practices and principles which promote access to the crafting and production of goods as well as knowledge. Open source is software (a set of codes) which is available to the general public, usually free of cost or at very nominal charges. It also has very relaxed intellectual property restrictions. It allows users to create software content through collaboration or incremental individual effort. Open source software can benefit organizations by reducing the initial ongoing costs, eliminating vendor lock-in and incorporating greater flexibility. Software which is licensed under an open source license, permits a whole community of developers from all over the world to improve the software, by providing their own enhancements and trouble shooting means.

There are a number of pre-requisites which a program must meet, besides the availability of source code, before it is considered an open source. These criteria include:

Source code

The software has to include source code and must allow the distribution of the software code as well as the compiled form. If some form of a product isn’t distributed with the source code, there should be a well publicized method to acquire the source code, for a very nominal sum or for free.

Free Redistribution

The software must be free to redistribute. The license must not restrict any party from giving away or selling off the software, as a part of a whole software distribution, which contains programs from different sources. The license will not require any fee from such sale, including royalty.

Integrity of the author’s source code

The license should explicitly allow for the distribution of software created from modified source code.

Derived works

Derivative works must be allowed. The license has to permit modifications as well as derived works and their distribution, under the exact terms as the license of the original software.

Distribution of license

There must be no discriminations against any individual. The rights attached to the program should apply to all those to whom the program is redistributed. This should not require the execution of any additional license by the concerned parties.

License must not be product-specific

The rights which are attached to the program must be equally applicable to all the parties, to whom the product is redistributed.

License must not limit other software

The license should not impose any restrictions on other software distributed along with the licensed software. It should not insist that all the other programs be open source software.

License must be neutral to technology

License must not discriminate against any fields of endeavor.

The open source community has furnished a number of tools, which work well together for developing complex websites. The members of IBM Internet technology Group have shown how to use open source tools to simplify the process of website development. The team simulates a hypothetical company which requires a custom-made website, which would include, discussion groups, document storage, conference scheduling, specialized workgroups and schedule sessions descriptions. They exemplify the creation of this website with the use of open source tools such as:

• MySQL- An open source database
• PHP - An all purpose scripting language especially suited for website coding and development.
• Apache-An open source web server
• Drupal- It is an open source content management system which allows customization of node content
• Eclipse- An open source development environment
• CVS - A source code management system which tracks changes in your code

The team also throws light on why they chose open source tools, and provides step-by-step guidelines to the installation as well as use of each of the tools, mentioned above.