Open Source
Open source is a development methodology where software source code is made publicly available for anyone to view, use, modify, and distribute under permissive licenses. It enables collaborative development across communities, fostering innovation, transparency, and cost-effective solutions. This approach contrasts with proprietary software, where code is kept secret and controlled by a single entity.
Developers should learn open source principles to contribute to and leverage community-driven projects, which are foundational to modern tech stacks like Linux, Kubernetes, and React. It's essential for building scalable, secure, and interoperable systems, as open source promotes peer review, rapid iteration, and avoids vendor lock-in. Use cases include developing web applications, cloud infrastructure, data science tools, and enterprise software where flexibility and community support are critical.