Free software (or open source software[1]) is a matter of the users' freedom to:

  • run,
  • copy,
  • distribute,
  • study,
  • change and improve

the software.

More precisely, it can be expressed in the four software freedoms:

0. The freedom to run the program, for any purpose.[2] 1. The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make it do what you wish. Access to the source code is a precondition for this. 2. The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor. 3. The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements (and modified versions in general) to the public, so that the whole community benefits. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.[3]

Notes

  1. Sometimes open source is not free software, but this is rare. The main difference is ideological, free software emphasizing freedom. "FOSS" or "Free and open source software"W is sometimes used to avoid ambiguity and ideological arguments.
  2. Like the laws of thermodynamics, the most basic principle was realized later than the one already labeled the "first"
  3. Taken from The Free Software Definition and explained in more detail at that link.
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