Answer to Question #111648 in Software Engineering for Austin

Question

Using examples,evaluate the open source model of software development.In your discussion highlight some of its advantages and disadvantages.furthermore,explain some of the alternative that also exist.

Answer 1

The open-source model of software development means development model shared by open collaboration, that is, developers with sufficient knowledge can suggest and make changes in the development process, although certain (GNU or BSD) licenses apply. The source code is available to everyone. Some examples are Apache, Mozilla Firefox browser, LibreOffice, VLC Media Player, Linux OS, Python, and PHP.

The advantages are: security, flexibility, reliability.

Disadvantages: support, usability, vulnerability to malicious developers and users, security.

The alternative is free software development, which means that the software is absolutely free to copy, modify, install, and distribution. Free licenses apply.