# Open-Source Software

Software whose source code is available under terms that permit inspection and reuse.

Canonical page: https://givegigs.com/wiki/open-source-software
Last updated: 2026-11-09T19:00:07.357Z
Parent topic: [information-and-digital-life](https://givegigs.com/wiki/information-and-digital-life)

## Contents
- [Overview](#wiki-section-overview-1)
- [Using and contributing](#wiki-section-using-software-2)
- [Security and sustainability](#wiki-section-sustainability-3)

<a id="wiki-section-overview-1"></a>
## Overview

Open-source software is released under a license that grants users defined permissions to use, inspect, modify, and redistribute source code. Public code alone does not establish these rights; the license terms govern. Open-source projects range from volunteer-maintained tools to software developed by companies and public institutions.

Explore related topics:
- [free-software](https://givegigs.com/wiki/free-software)
- [software-version-control](https://givegigs.com/wiki/software-version-control)
- [copyright](https://givegigs.com/wiki/copyright)
- [creative-commons](https://givegigs.com/wiki/creative-commons)

<a id="wiki-section-using-software-2"></a>
## Using and contributing

Before reusing code, identify the exact license and version, preserve required notices, and check obligations for distributing modified or combined works. Contributions should follow project guidance for tests, review, security reporting, and code of conduct. A project may welcome contributions while still reserving maintainership decisions to named maintainers.

<a id="wiki-section-sustainability-3"></a>
## Security and sustainability

Source availability does not guarantee that software is secure, maintained, accessible, or suitable for a particular use. Review release history, issue response, dependencies, and deployment risks. Healthy projects need maintenance time and funding; acknowledge that open licensing does not mean every service or support commitment is free.

## Sources

- [Open Source Initiative: The Open Source Definition](https://opensource.org/osd)

---
This article is collaboratively maintained. Check the canonical page and cited sources for the latest context.