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Software Licensing Flashcards
OCR GCSE J277 Computer Science specification
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Software licence
A legal agreement that specifies how software can be used, distributed, and modified.
Open source software
Software where the source code is freely available and can be modified and redistributed by users.
Proprietary software
Software where the source code is closed and owned by a company or individual, restricting modification and redistribution.
Benefits of open source software
Free to use, modify, and redistribute; encourages collaboration and innovation; often has community support.
Drawbacks of open source software
May lack official support; can be less user-friendly; security risks if not maintained properly.
Benefits of proprietary software
Usually has dedicated support; often more polished and user-friendly; regular updates and security patches.
Drawbacks of proprietary software
Can be expensive; users cannot modify the software; reliant on the vendor for updates and support.
Examples of open source software
Linux, Apache, Mozilla Firefox, LibreOffice.
Examples of proprietary software
Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, macOS, Windows.
Choosing a software licence
Depends on factors like cost, support needs, customisation requirements, and intended use.

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