Which of the following best describes open-source software?

Which of the following best describes open-source software?

• A. Software that is free to use without restrictions
• B. Software with source code that anyone can inspect and modify
• C. Software that is sold with a proprietary license
• D. Software that is designed for specific organizations only

Answer: (B)

Open-source software is best described as software that includes source code which is accessible for anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance. This characteristic is fundamental to the open-source model, as it allows developers and users to collaborate, innovate, and contribute to the software's development process. Users can not only utilize the software but also adapt it to meet their specific needs, ultimately leading to a more robust and diverse software ecosystem. While options related to being free to use or specifically designed for certain organizations might suggest elements of open-source software, they do not capture its core defining feature of openly accessible source code. Similarly, software sold with a proprietary license inherently restricts access to its source code, placing it in direct contrast to the open-source methodology. Thus, the defining hallmark of open-source software lies in its freedom for inspection and modification by the community, fostering collective improvement and adaptability.

Open-source software is best described as software that includes source code which is accessible for anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance. This characteristic is fundamental to the open-source model, as it allows developers and users to collaborate, innovate, and contribute to the software's development process. Users can not only utilize the software but also adapt it to meet their specific needs, ultimately leading to a more robust and diverse software ecosystem.

While options related to being free to use or specifically designed for certain organizations might suggest elements of open-source software, they do not capture its core defining feature of openly accessible source code. Similarly, software sold with a proprietary license inherently restricts access to its source code, placing it in direct contrast to the open-source methodology. Thus, the defining hallmark of open-source software lies in its freedom for inspection and modification by the community, fostering collective improvement and adaptability.