Software Licencing And Copyright Questions Medium
Open source software and shareware are two different types of software with distinct characteristics and licensing models.
Open source software refers to software that is released with a license that allows users to access, modify, and distribute the source code. This means that users have the freedom to study, modify, and distribute the software as per their requirements. Open source software is typically developed collaboratively by a community of developers and is often available for free. Examples of open source software include Linux operating system, Apache web server, and Mozilla Firefox browser.
On the other hand, shareware is a type of software that is distributed on a trial basis, allowing users to try it before purchasing. Shareware is usually developed by individual developers or small companies who offer a limited version of the software for free, but require payment for the full version with all features and functionalities. Shareware often comes with a time limit or limited functionality in the trial version. Examples of shareware include WinRAR, WinZip, and Adobe Acrobat.
In summary, the main difference between open source software and shareware lies in their licensing models. Open source software allows users to access, modify, and distribute the source code freely, while shareware offers a trial version for free but requires payment for the full version.