Open source software is software with the source codes that anyone can
read, inspect, change and enhance its codes. "Source code" is the code
computer programmers can manipulate to change how a piece of software
application program. Programmers who have access to a computer
programs source code can improve that program by adding features to it or
fixing the problems in it.
The GNU operating system was initiated by Richard Stallman in 1983. The
goal was to bring a wholly free software operating system into existence.
Stallman wanted computer users to be free to study the source code of the
software they use, share software with other people, modify the behavior of
software, and publish their own modified versions of the software. This
philosophy was later published as the GNU Manifesto in 1985.
In 1991, Linus Torvalds while attending the University of Helsinki became
curious about operating systems. He was frustrated by the licensing cost
and restrictions of current UNIX OS, he began to work writing on his own
system Kernel, which finally became the Linux Kernel. Due to free nature
of Kernel source codes the GNU utilities were incorporated into the
fledgling operating system. Linux Code licensed under the GNU GPL can
be reused in other computer programs as long as they also are released
under the same or a compatible license. With Linux OS , software
developers worked to integrate GNU components with the Linux kernel,
making a fully functional and free operating system.
