does all software written for linux have to be open sourced?
Thursday, August 26th, 2010 at
05:13
if you create a progam for linux, can you sell it like Microsoft Office is sold or do you have to make it open source?
Tagged with: Linux • Microsoft • microsoft office • Open Source
Filed under: Open Source
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No, it doesn’t have to be open source or free for that matter. However, most Linux users have gotten used to free software. Thus, they are unlikely to use something they have to pay for and something they can’t see the source of. Mainly because there are many people still trying to get viruses out to the Linux community. An experienced Linux user won’t run anything without knowing what’s in it
Also, the chances of creating a program for Linux that won’t have an open source alternative are pretty small.
Free Software Definition:
The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others (freedom 3). By doing this you can give the whole community a chance to benefit from your changes. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
No it does not, but most of it is. There are programs that you have to pay to use it on every operating system including linux.
You can sell programs for linux if you wish. but in order to be open source it must meet the requirements in the link below. Hope it clears it up for you