What is Open Source software?

Open source software is a software development method whereby users are permitted to use, change and modify the software for free

Open Source Software (OSS) is computer software for which the software source code and certain other rights are provided to software end users for free under an OSS license.

OSS licenses generally permit an end user to study, use, change and modify the software (and its source code). OSS is normally developed in a public and collaborative manner, whereby software programmers from around the world can study and generally improve upon the software in question.

Access to the software and its source code under an OSS licence is usually on the proviso that any modifications and improvements made to the software are freely made available and thus encourages the continual innovation and development of the software in question.