Almost every piece of computer software is created using source code
Or the technical blueprint that tells a program how to function
When creators release their finished product to the public
They must decide whether to make their software open source of closed source
With closed source software, also known as proprietary software
The public is not given access to the source code, so they can't see, or modify it
But with open source software, the source code is publicly available
And programmers can see, or modify that code, if they desire
Keep in mind, that you don't have to read or change any code in order to use an open source product
The vast majority of apps, games and other popular software are closed source
However, there are open source options for many types of programs
If you want an open source alternative to Microsoft Office, you could use LibreOffice
Instead of using Windows, you could use an open source Linux operating system
Other open source examples include the Firefox web browser and WordPress blogging platform
One of open sources biggest advantages, is that it's usually free
Though some features and technical support may cost extra
Also, since the code is available to anyone who wants it,
Public collaboration can find bugs, add features, and improve performance
Within a relatively short amount of time
With that said, open source software is not perfect
It may not be as user friendly as closed source software,
And if you run into trouble, it may be difficult to find technical support
Especially for less popular programs
As for closed source software,
It's more likely to be a stable, focused product
And if you need support, customer service is typically easier to access
However, closed source software often costs money
And if it has any bugs, or missing features
You'll have to wait on the creator to address the problems
Now that you understand the difference between open and closed source software
You can take advantage of the type that best meets your needs