Open Source

Open-source software is software with code that anyone can view, modify or extend.

Why prefer Open Source

• Transparency - If you use open-source software, you can inspect the source code to ensure the software isn't doing anything you don't want it to do. This can give you peace of mind that the software is safer.
• Improve as a Programmer - Reading the open-source software code may help you improve as a programmer. You can get a grasp of what is good and what is not so good. You can read other people's code, which can help you pick up new skills and give you a chance to critique code written by others.
• Save Time & Money- Sometimes, open-source software might do just about everything you need and is only missing a few features. You can extend the open-source software to bridge the gap between what it does and what you need. Extending the existing software is much faster and cheaper than building new software because you require just a few new features and is cheaper than purchasing proprietary (closed source) software that may be suitable for your needs.
• Community - With open-source software comes a community of maintainers and users. It is also nice to have a community to benefit from. Whether you need help figuring something out about the software or sharing your ideas with others for the software, nothing beats a sense of community.

My Experience with Open Source

In my experience, using open source is the way to go. I have found that the community ensures the software is well tested and documented, so you can always find an answer to any questions about the open-source software. As well as the benefits of the community, I have learned that leaning on open source tools and software is much more time-efficient than trying to write my own.