Technologycalendar_todayLast updated: Apr 2026
What is Open Source?
/ˈɒpən sɔːs/
Open source software is code that is publicly available for anyone to view, use, modify, and distribute. It is built collaboratively by global communities rather than private teams.
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Everyday Example
Linux, the operating system running most of the internet's servers, and Firefox, the web browser, are both open source — built and maintained by thousands of volunteer contributors worldwide.
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“The Android operating system powering most smartphones globally is built on open source Linux. Google open-sourced Android to accelerate adoption and create an ecosystem.”
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Did you know?
The "open source" label and movement was formally created in 1998 by Eric Raymond and others, inspired by the explosive growth of Linux in the 1990s.
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Key Insight
Open source does not mean free — it means the code is transparent and modifiable. Many open source projects are backed by major corporations with commercial interests.
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