What is Open Source and Why is it so Goddamn Popular? 🤯
Tags: beginners, opensource, codenewbie, github
Published: 2023-05-23 09:51:35

tl;dr

💡 It create projects with a worldwide impact

🔒 It raises the bar for security

🔁 It accelerates development and feedback loops.

🧸 If the project is a product, it accelerates adoption

💰 Because everyone benefits from it

—

👋 Hey friends, 

Today we're going to be talking about open source 🔓.

You might have heard this term before, but what does it really mean? 

Essentially, open source refers to software that is developed in a collaborative and transparent way, where the code is freely available for anyone to access, use and modify.

In short, the words to remember are: 

- developed collaboratively 👯‍♀️
- transparent 🔍
- free 🏷️

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/jbjyujkvsza090x0asmm.gif)


*👥 Okayyyy… I think I get it but, what does “open source software” actually look like?* 

Let’s dig into this a little bit.. 🧐

The most famous website hosting open-source software is called **Github**. 

In the picture below, you see my own repository which hosts an open source project called *Linkedin-Connecting-Bot.* 👇


[![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/vom5d7joefvxmc1mqtkz.png)](https://github.com/fernandezbaptiste/Linkedin-Connecting-Bot)

A repository (called "repo" in the coding world) essentially means the folder hosting all the code of a particular project. 

It is true that calling it a *project doc* or *code folder* would have been more intuitive but the reason for that is that a repo contains all previous versions of code, all history & comments, all contributor information, all branches of development and all file metadata!

Now it's true that at first, it may not look like what you could have expected but **this is literally what open-source software looks like. 😄**

**📝 Note:** GitHub hosts both open-source software as well as private repositories! This means that **not everything on Github is open source**! In other words, you can get to build open-source projects just like you can build private projects if you so chose to! 

Now, let's get back to the question - **why is it so goddam popular? 🤔**

I feel you may already have an idea by now but here are the 5 main reasons why this is the case: 

## **1. Open Source builds projects with worldwide impact 🚀** 

Indeed, we build better when we build together 🫶.

Open-source allows developers to collaborate and build upon each other's work, leading to better and more innovative products. 

By sharing their code, developers can learn from one another, find and fix bugs faster, and build upon each other's ideas - how freaking cool is that! 

This kind of collaboration and community-driven development has led to some truly amazing projects, such as for example the **Linux operating system** and **the Apache web server.**

## **2. Enhanced Security 🔒**

Another reason for the popularity of open source is that it often leads to more secure and reliable software! 

When the code is open and available for anyone to inspect, it's easier to find and fix vulnerabilities 🚀

Additionally, because the community is constantly working to improve and update the software, it tends to be more reliable and stable than proprietary software, which is often developed by a single company or individual.

## **3. Everyone benefits from it 🎁** 

It's not just developers who benefit from open source - users do too. 

Open source software means it is available for **free**, which is a huge advantage for individuals, non-profit organizations, and smaller businesses who may not have the resources to invest in expensive proprietary software. 

All in all, open-source software benefits society as a whole!

For example, the open-source office suite LibreOffice provides many of the same features as Microsoft Office, but without the hefty price tag!

## **4. It nurtures development & feedback loops 🚀**

Open-source projects accelerate development by fostering collaboration and rapid feedback loops. 

Developers from around the world can contribute their expertise, insights, and improvements, resulting in faster progress!

The collective intelligence of the community leads to innovative solutions and efficient problem-solving. 

As a result, continuous feedback from users helps identify and resolve issues promptly, improving the software's quality. 

## **5. If the project is a product, it can accelerate adoption 💡**

Open-source projects have the potential to accelerate adoption due to their accessibility, flexibility, and community-driven nature. 

When a project is open-source, it becomes more attractive to potential users because:

📐 the availability of the source code empowers users to customize and adapt the software to suit their specific needs. 

🤝 the community provides documentation, support forums, and contributes to the project's ecosystem, making it easier for newcomers to get started and find assistance when needed. 

💸 the cost advantage of open source plays a significant role in driving adoption. Businesses and individuals are attracted to it because it offers high-quality solutions without the need for expensive licensing fees.  


So there you have it - open-source software is all about collaboration, transparency, and community-driven development. 

It leads to:

✅ impactful projects with

✅ higher security,

✅ more accessible software,

✅ better quality feedback loops and

✅ an accelerated product adoption 🚀

All in all, open-source software has radically changed the face of the tech landscape and this is why it is “so goddamn popular”.

If you haven't already, you can start contributing to open source even as a beginner - check this fantastic article on how to get started in the [next few minutes!](https://dev.to/quira/crushing-your-first-open-source-contribution-5-tips-for-beginners-1ca2)

Who knows, you might just be a part of the next big thing! 🔥

PS: If you're looking for a platform to discover projects aligned with your interests, language preference, and do it, whilst not spending a penny, visit **[quira.sh](https://quira.sh/?utm_source=devto&utm_campaign=what_is_oss_may_2023)** 🫶. It's a great space to find free projects where you can contribute and make a difference!


{% embed [https://dev.to/quira](https://dev.to/quira) %}