If you're using Linux , the One True OS, you're probably familiar with GNU Software . If not, read on. This nifty document allows you not only access to the program, but access to the source code as well. GNU software is free software . As you may know, GNU software is available at absolutely no charge, through GNUs FTP site but when it is said that software is free under the GPL, it doesn't mean cost-wise.
Free software means freedom.
Freedom to look at and analyze the source code, and even make changes if you so desire. If you visit one of the links above to the GNU page, you will find about a thousand arguments as to why this way of developing software is better than the way standard proprietary packages are released, so I won't go over them here. Download GNU gcc and find out how the pros code them. This is just a short blurb of mine that I would like people to read. It is by no means complete.