PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
Proprietary software is also called closed source software. The closed source software or proprietary software offers a stable system with support if the software fails or malfunctions.
Example :
OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
Open source software is:
- software provided for use, modification and redistribution
- software that any programmer can download from the Internet for free and modify with suggested improvements.
- the only qualification is that changes can't be copyrighted,
Why is it popular? Because this software is not closed software. Any programmer can make improvements which can result in better quality software.
Examples :
Linux is the popular multi-tasking UNIX type operating system. Some versions of Linux are command line. Others are GUI. The two most popular GUIs available for Linux are GNOME and KDE.
Many application programs, utilities and plug-in have Linux versions including OpenOffice.org, PHP-Nuke, The GIMP, Mozilla, ClamAV, OpenLDAP, Audacity and RedHat.
Users can obtain Linux in a variety of ways. Some download it for free from the web. Others purchase it from vendors.
Comparision :
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
ADVANTAGES OF PRODUCING PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
The producing company creates software that must be purchased in order to be installed and used, thus giving room for profit. The company can set limit to the licence of use. This will allow the company to control and monitor the installation and distribution of the software sold.
ADVANTAGES OF USING PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
The advantages of using proprietary software are :
- The software offers a stable system support if it fails or malfunction.
- The software is safe and guaranteed to be safe from dubious threats like programming bugs and viruses thus providing ease of mind for the user.
- The software is easier to install and used as the production is planned and extensive research is carried out to ensure users purchase only the best.
- Furthermore, free updates and latest information on the software are usually provided to the user.
DISADVANTAGES OF PRODUCING PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
Disadvantages of producing proprietary software are:
- manufacturers are often under massive amounts of pressure to release the software before it is ready, causing major problems later. This is because the release of the software would affect the profit
- security is a major issue. Manufacturers will have to invest in an ongoing research against threats from hackers
DISADVANTAGES OF USING PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
Disadvantages to users of using proprietary software are:
users need to spend a long time downloading and installing security patches to fix bugs announced by the manufacturer.
Any improvements would usually require fees, which is often expensive.
users are not allowed to describe and share the software as that are licensed.
Customising the software is nearly impossible because when users buy proprietary software will receive binary version of the program, not the code as the code is the manufacturer’s trade secret.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
ADVANTAGES OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
Some advantages of open source software are:
- The source codes are available to users and they have the rights to modify them.
- This will allow improvements to the software without having to invest large sum of money in research and development.
- The modified and improved source codes can be freely redistributed.
MORE ADVANTAGES OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
The open source software is created according to industry demands but allows for upgrades to take place freely when the need arises. Therefore, if bugs in the codes are found, they can be fixed by anyone interested and capable. Fixes and patches to rectify the bugs are rapidly developed.
The software can be used in any way and for any legal purposes. There is no restriction in a unilateral way on how the software could be used.
DISADVANTAGES OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
Since nobody in particular is responsible for the codes, there is no exact knowledge and assurance on when the codes are going to be fixed if there a bugs in it. Thus, users will have to use the problematic software until someone rectifies the problem.
MORE DISADVANTAGES OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
Other disadvantages of open source software are:
- The codes are too complicated for novice users to understand.
- There is no particular official monitoring the works of a programmer improving the codes. This is because anyone is free to use, modify or even distribute the codes.
Open source usually comes without warranty and after sales support should the software fail or malfunction. This is because the software usually distributed free of charge or sold for very minimal fees.
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