Are Open Source Solutions Good For Your Software Development?

Starting your business is a huge step! It is an exciting process too. At the same time, it requires a lot of planning and organizing. When entering this process, we mainly focus on the physical locations, ways to reach clients/customers, advertising, etc.  But, the reality is that, nowadays, none of it is possible without a software development program regardless of whether you start an online entertainment business such as the roman legion or something more serious. Do you know that, as we speak, we are all surrounded by software? It may be surprising, but the statistics show that there are currently around 5.11 billion mobile phones and other device users globally. And we know that these devices function because of software with a lot of additional functions. 

Software is used in transportation, electrical grids, and many other services that provide basic things we need to live. Individuals use software for work and entertainment. And, what about businesses? Software development is vital for entrepreneurs. That especially stands for enterprise software and mobile app development software. If you want to run a successful business, you have to be prepared to get into online marketing. And this is why you need software development.

Now, many are asking whether it is better to use open or closed software! Deciding about software for your company has long-term implications and, thus, shouldn’t be taken lightly. These days, most experts talk about the benefits of open source as one of the best software development methodologies. The fact is that open source transformed the industry! It is a licensing agreement that everyone can access, use, modify, etc. Everyone can also distribute open-source code as they want. It is software created in a decentralized and collaborative way. It relies on peer reviews. Open-source software is often cheaper and lasts longer. The reason is that the community rather than the individual creates it. It is most commonly used in the software development industry. However, other sectors are starting to use it more and more, so you have open-source software in biotech, teaching, fashion, electronics, robotics, etc. Now we will look deeper into why open source is the best option for your software development process.

What is Software Development?

Do you know what software development is? Scientifically, it is a process through which the use of programming language creates individual software. It refers to writing a bunch of codes that are mutually related to getting a functional program. In simple terms, software development refers to several steps programmers take to create a computer program. This process is also called the software development lifecycle, and it involves several phases required for building products that meet technical standards and user requirements. When creating software, a programmer has to do initial research, check data flow design, process flow design, flow charts, technical documentation, software testing, etc. 

The Importance of Software Development 

So we already mentioned that it is impossible to imagine a successful business without online marketing. But why is that? Companies rely on online platforms and mobile apps to interact with clients and shop for products and services remotely. Using well-made software can lead to a significant increase in revenue. But there are more reasons why it is essential to take software development seriously:

• Software development enables your company to be accessible from any place on Earth. 
• As people can reach your company remotely and shop for products and services they want, the sales and overall service will be improved. 
• You can do marketing at any time or place. 
• Being present online allows your customers to interact with you in various ways. 

Open-source Software vs. Other Types of Software

Okay, in the beginning, we explained what open-source software is! But, some companies are using another type of software development services. This type of software has a code that only a person who created it and others that have access to it can control. This type of software is called proprietary or closed source software. Unlike open-source, if you are using closed source, the code is protected, thus not accessible by the public. The price of closed source software is usually much higher than the price of open-source software. Generally, there are lots of restrictions with this type of software. For example, if a program comes with a closed code, you can’t install it on your computer without having a valid license. Also, programmers are hired by the firm, and they don’t compete with each other for recognition. There is also a limitation in terms of the number of programmers who can work on the projects. Examples of programs with closed source software are Microsoft Windows, Skype, and Adobe Reader.

With open-source, the situation is very different. First, as we already mentioned, the software is accessible to the public. The code in itself is public so that other organizations and individuals can modify it. It is pretty affordable software. There aren’t many restrictions when it comes to the usability of this software. In the case of open-source software, programs compete for recognition. But there is something else. With this kind of software, any programmer can work on improvements. As a result of that, some super popular programs have a bunch of programmers working on them. When you buy this software, you get the code, and you can install it on any computer. Examples of this type of Software are Firefox, Open Office, Zimbra, Android, Thunderbird, etc. 

Who is Open Source Software For?

Many people believe that open source software is valid only for programmers. However, this is a misconception. As many programs such as Linux OS and others use this type of software, it is safe to say that it is made for everyone. So now, basically, each time any user surfs the web, uses game development software, streams movies online, etc., he uses an open-source system to transmit the data to his devices. This process is done through the computers in other locations, and we usually can’t see them or work on them. Many people call them remote computers. We often rely on these computers for different tasks, whether it is playing a book of dead RTP or doing business. Let’s say that you want to do some video editing. Instead of buying a program and installing it on your computers, you can access them online. This process is called remote computing. 

Is Open Source Software Same as Free Software?

People often confuse open source software with free software. Keep in mind that the two terms are very similar but not identical. When talking about free software, we don’t have a price in mind. The term ‘free’ refers to the freedom of people to use and modify the software. To avoid ambiguity, some people call it software libra. This type of software needs to be accessible to people without any restrictions. Users need to have the freedom to study and modify it according to their needs and preferences. Apart from that, the users should have the freedom to redistribute and improve it for a price or free of charge. Open-source software, on the other hand, must meet the criteria stated below:

• It needs to be freely distributed.
• Source code should be available for the public.
• It is possible to modify and distribute the software in a format different from the original. 
• It must not be discriminatory towards individuals or groups. 
• It shouldn’t restrict to the usage of other software. 

Why You Should Choose Open-source Software 

We have already discussed plenty of things about this type of software, and as you can see, there are many advantages compared with other options. We will look at more benefits that will enable you to know why this type of software is best for your business. 

Flexibility

One of the best aspects of this type of software development is that it is super flexible. So this means that when a business hires a software development engineer, this person can build the software from the beginning. When you use secure software, you must contact the software development company that sells you the software for every change you make. The fact that open source software is so flexible is fantastic because it allows for the customization of your business. 

Grows with the Business 

When you start a business, you expect it to grow. Well, the software needs to adjust to this process and meet all of your needs. Open-source software is flexible enough to satisfy every demand of the ever-changing business. Hence, it is a fantastic option for businesses of all sizes. It is, indeed, effortless work to make whatever modifications you need to make because everything is online and accessible. Balancing the workload and achieving the desired performances becomes a piece of cake when you have software that grows with your business. 

It is Cost-Effective

The cost of secure software depends on how complicated and integrated you want the program to be. However, we can say that this type of software is quite expensive in general. The main point with open source software is that it is so affordable that you don’t have to think about the financial impact on the company. You also don’t have to worry about the cost of license renewal or other fees. 

Technically Advanced 

With open-source software, developers are using the latest technologies to create new solutions. That way, they develop prototypes that later go through numerous trials and improvements towards becoming more refined and usable software. Experimenting and improving is the continual process that enables companies always to have up-to-date products.

Provides Information Security 

The internet is undeniably useful, and we wouldn’t be able to do anything without it these days. But at the same time, we have to continually keep in mind that cyberspace comes with its specific dangers and risks. Open-source software has a good security record. It is, of course, a challenge to claim that you can provide bulletproof security. However, in general, we can say that the responses of the open-source community and vendors about information security have been excellent so far. One thing that favors open-source software is that the developers managed to recognize and solve the problems for decades rather than switch to proprietary software. 

It is Fast 

Sooner or later, your company will start competing on speed. Open-source software enables you to do things quickly. It allows you to start working on community versions, understands whether you can use it to solve your business issues, etc. If everything functions well, you will quickly see the results. Opt for this type of software development. You will get the flexibility, agility, and ability to start rapidly and inexpensively combined with the ability to create a complete enterprise-grade implementation without using closed source software. 

It Is the Project of the Future

We expect to have only open-source software in the future! Most of the web, mobile, and cloud solutions are already built on this type of software. And as everyone sees the success and the usefulness of such software, more and more companies, regardless of the industry, will abandon the idea of proprietary software. Hence, investing in open source is a good move! 

Conclusion

Slowly but surely, open-source technology is starting to be a norm, an increasing number of companies are switching to it. The popularity of open-source lies not only in the fact that it is cost-effective but also in that it is easily accessible to everyone. Apart from that, open sources come with many benefits for your software development, as we already mentioned. Have you heard of this type of software before? Do you know someone who is using it?