What is the definition of open-source software?

The definition of open-source software pertains to the idea that the source code—the underlying programming language and structure that form the software—is made publicly available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute. This transparency encourages collaboration and innovation within the software development community. Open-source software typically comes with licenses that allow users to make changes, share their modifications with others, and contribute to the software's improvement.

By contrast, software with restricted access to the source code lacks this openness and does not support community collaboration. Not all software that is not copyrighted qualifies as open-source, as open-source requires specific licensing terms. Additionally, while software developed by individuals for personal use can be open-source, it is not inherently so; it only becomes open-source if the author chooses to make the source code available to the public. Therefore, the correct definition emphasizes the accessibility and collaborative nature of the source code in open-source software.