What is free software? - China DOS Union Forum - China DOS Union

Free Software

Free software refers to software that allows anyone to use, copy, modify, and distribute (for free/a small fee). In particular, the source code of such software must be obtainable. In a sense, "without source code, it cannot be called (free) software."

If a program is free, it can be included in free operating systems like GNU/Linux, FreeDOS.

There are many ways to make a program free. Specifically, there are many decisive factors, and some are listed below:

Free software is essentially free and not sold at a marked price. But sometimes software companies use the word "free software" when referring to price. Their meaning may be that you can get a copy of the binary code for free, or that a copy is already included in the machine you purchased. However, this meaning is different from the "free software" in the GNU Project.

Because it is extremely easy to confuse in operation, so once a software company says their software is free software, you must check whether you have obtained everything that free software should include. Sometimes you get free software, sometimes you don't.

In many languages, the word "free" has two meanings: one is freedom, the other is free of charge. For example, the French "libre" and "gratuit", and the English "gratis" clearly refer to price (free of charge), but do not clearly explain the meaning of "freedom". This is unfortunate because if such a word existed, it would be very useful here.

Usually, free software is more reliable than non-free software.

Floor1　Wengier	Posted 2002-11-05 00:00
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Free Software Free software refers to software that allows anyone to use, copy, modify, and distribute (for free/a small fee). In particular, the source code of such software must be obtainable. In a sense, "without source code, it cannot be called (free) software." If a program is free, it can be included in free operating systems like GNU/Linux, FreeDOS. There are many ways to make a program free. Specifically, there are many decisive factors, and some are listed below: Free software is essentially free and not sold at a marked price. But sometimes software companies use the word "free software" when referring to price. Their meaning may be that you can get a copy of the binary code for free, or that a copy is already included in the machine you purchased. However, this meaning is different from the "free software" in the GNU Project. Because it is extremely easy to confuse in operation, so once a software company says their software is free software, you must check whether you have obtained everything that free software should include. Sometimes you get free software, sometimes you don't. In many languages, the word "free" has two meanings: one is freedom, the other is free of charge. For example, the French "libre" and "gratuit", and the English "gratis" clearly refer to price (free of charge), but do not clearly explain the meaning of "freedom". This is unfortunate because if such a word existed, it would be very useful here. Usually, free software is more reliable than non-free software.