What is Open-Source Software?

Open-source software has source code available under a license that permits defined forms of inspection, use, or modification.

Code with a published license

Open-source software makes source code available under terms that grant particular freedoms. The license—not availability alone—defines whether people may modify, redistribute, or use it commercially.

Use still requires due diligence

Maintainers, dependencies, security response, documentation, and license obligations affect whether a project is suitable. Open source can be excellent software, but it is not automatically supported or risk-free.