If you’re in charge of IT at your business, or even if you run your own business, you’ll need to know the difference between open and closed-source software. Knowing the difference can influence how you use it at work, and how you run your business as a whole. If you don’t have an information technology degree or only have a basic understanding of IT, don’t worry. This guide will get you through.
What Is Open And Closed Source Software?
You’ve probably heard the terms ‘open’ and ‘closed source software before, but have no idea what they mean. Thankfully, they’re easier to understand than they look. Here’s what you need to know.
– Open source software: it is software that the general public can access and use. That means that the source code is available for anyone to look at. Examples of open source software include GIMP image editor, Firefox web browser, and the Linux operating system. Because it’s open source, users can modify it free of charge. In theory, that means that it can only be improved upon, although it does make it a prime target for rogue programmers.
– Closed source software: As you can imagine, it is software that’s proprietary and closed to the public. It’s been designed for use within a particular company or organization. It’s often designed this way in order to control a brand image or protect customers’ details.
What’s The Difference Between The Two?
There are a few differences between open and closed software, and these will be the deciding factors if you need to choose one or the other:
– Cost: Open-source software tends to be free, so it’s usually the best choice for individual users. The closed source can cost more, as it has to be designed for the user’s needs.
– Service: Closed source software is the winner here, as there are usually dedicated service teams that can help you when things go wrong. If you’re using it though, you’ll be at the mercy of the online community, which may not be incentivized to help you.
– Innovation: Those who are learned in IT can do a lot with open source software, meaning that they can do more. If you’re using closed-source software, that won’t be updated until you pay the developers to do so.
– Usability: Closed source software is often much more usable, as user guides are usually written for them. You can also get training in how to use them. This is often not the case for open-source software.
– Security: Open source software isn’t as secure as its closed counterparts, by its very nature. It can be easy for it to be used in the wrong way if they wanted to.
How Information Technology Education Can Help You
If you’ve been struggling with issues such as open vs. closed source software, then a course in IT skills could be just the thing for you. At ITI Technical College, we’re dedicated to helping students develop skills that they can use in the real world. That means that our IT course is designed for people just like you.
We’ll teach you many aspects of IT management in your time with us, including data security and database building. These skills will help you grow your business, and get ahead. You can even study part-time, making it much easier for you to get the skills you need while still staying at work.
If you’re interested in learning more, get in touch with us. We can give you all the options you have with us. That way, you can make an informed decision about your education. We’re dedicated to helping people get ahead at work, so we’re the best choice for IT skills. Enroll with us, and get ahead at work today.
For more information about graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website: https://iticollege.edu/disclosures/
