ITPEC IP October 2020 Question 19

Topic: SoftwareAlso asked in October 2018 and April 2022

Which of the following is an advantage of using OSS (Open Source Software)?

a)Technical support is provided free of charge from the developer at the time of installation.b)The software is not prone to infection of viruses, as the source code is not released.c)Compensation can be received for damages caused by defects in the software.d)The source code can be modified to fit the environment of the user in accordance with the license conditions.

Explanation

The source code can be modified to fit the user's environment within the licence — OSS publishes its source and allows changing it.

OSS licences grant the right to use, study, modify and redistribute the software, subject to their conditions, such as keeping the copyright notice or releasing modified source under the same licence. Because the source is available, a user can adapt the software to their own environment.

Answer (d)

Why not others:

•(a) — OSS carries no promise of free support from the developer; support comes from the community or from paid service providers
•(b) — OSS does release its source code; and whether the source is public does not decide whether software can be infected by viruses
•(c) — OSS licences usually disclaim all warranty and liability, so the user has no claim for damage caused by defects

Key rule: OSS means the source is open and may be modified and redistributed under the licence; it does not by itself mean free support, a warranty or immunity to attacks.

Software · AI-written, may contain errors

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