Introduction
Open-source software is a term that emanated from the staged advertisements of free software. Open-source software is the type of software that is free for the public to use, develop and modify within the scope of their license.The user is at liberty to modify and redistribute the software. Other rights are basically limited to the holders of the copyright in line with the license restrictions. The rights to modify, develop or use are granted but other copyright rights remain in the hands of the copyright holder. It caused a great shift from the proprietary software which is restrictive. The term open source has been used elsewhere to mean software let free for the users viewing.
Advantages of open source software
Basically, the growth of the internet has relied heavily on open-source software. Free source software has numerous advantages and the most outstanding of all is that it is free to the public to change, develop and even redistribute. Unlike proprietary or rather closed software, the users have a chance to inject their creative skills to suit the market. A clear point to note is that the developers and users of the software feel attached to it because they had a chance to develop it (Asay, 2007).
It also gives the company a variety of technological frameworks which in time change and build the image of the company. Subsequently, products promoted by such a company will get market-based on the image of the company. Open-source software is also said to be cost-effective or economic friendly hence rendering it easy to create and develop. It deals with economic pressure by the mere fact that it is flexible and a lot of tasks that would have otherwise generated pressure are shared (Prince, 2008).
Open-source software is advantageous in the sense that it encourages users interfaces that speed up innovation in the company. The progress of a company is greatly supported and it evolves faster due to the permission granted to the users such that they get access to the source code. Free environment creates a room for modification of the product on the software. This essentially motivates and a working community is created. The reliability of open source software is commendable and that gives it an advantage over the closed proprietary software. The trust which builds to reliability is cultivated by the free nature of the software. On the same note, security assurance of the open software creates and facilitates trust from the corporate community (Toderash, 2007)
Another advantage of the open-source software is the transparency that it offers to the users. Its free trait without discrimination makes it easier to use without ranging security issues. It also enables interoperation since it is based on the principles of freeness. Finally, its localized way of operation gives it a suitable outlook for those seeking to put up a data management system (Asay, 2007).
Disadvantages of open source software
The main point of concern in exploring the disadvantages of open source software is to ascertain why many people would still prefer proprietary software or closed source software. It is imperative to note that open source software was created after the closed software which essentially means that many of those who had joined the proprietary software would be required to migrate, thus making this software more favorable to those who had not joined any database management system. The cost incurred in the migration is much hence in fear of those costs, many companies would instead continue utilizing what they are used to. The complex nature of the migration renders proprietary software more suitable since the solutions of migration offered are not a hundred percent effective (Toderash, 2007)
Security issues are at stake in open software since it is free which is a rich ground for encouraging hackers who may hack and learn the weakness of the system. Database management rotates around the issue of security. If a threat is of security then it means that critical attention must be paid. Similarly, the insecurity feeling leads to a concrete reason for the fear of migration (Prince, 2008).
The criticism levied against the open software is to the effect that commercial business projects cannot be made through open software since for it to provide meaningful results, effective control must be exercised. The open software requires support and a lot of control but the most fundamental thing which has discouraged many people not to adopting open software is that it lacks the exact person to lay blame on in case of any fault. Sometimes the interoperation of open software is said to be ineffective (Gasperson, 2007).
Conclusion
The growth of open software cannot in any way be underestimated. It is rising daily and although it has dominated the database system it is getting there. The advantages as here above discussed put it at a better competitive avenue than the closed software and therefore drawing the attention of the corporate world. However, the open software has its disadvantages which make migration to it a risky venture.
References
Asay, M. (2007). Why choose proprietary software over open source? Survey says CNet News, Web.
Gasperson, T. (2007) Five compelling reasons to use MySQL. CIO Magazine. Web.
Prince, B. (2008). Open-source databases MySQL, PostgreSQL, adoption rising. Web.
Toderash, B. (2007) Eight sound reasons not to use MySQL. CIO Magazine. Web.