Open source software is everywhere and business leaders are starting to take notice. What are its main advantages? Are there significant disadvantages to consider?
In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, open source software (OSS) has emerged as a driving force behind innovation, collaboration and cost-effective solutions. It has become so ubiquitous in the technology industry that 97% of all applications being developed today are built on open source and 90% of companies already use it in some form.
“Nowadays, you can no longer develop software without using open source,” says Dr. Wolfgang Gehring, FOSS Ambassador at Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation. OSS is used for everything that can be coded. From operating systems and programming languages to frameworks and libraries, open source has become an integral part of the development process for many organizations. However, while OSS offers numerous advantages, it also presents specific challenges that developers and executives must consider.
This article aims to provide developers and executives, whether in the technology industry or not, with a complete guide to understanding the pros and cons of OSS. As we delve into the complexities of open source development, we'll explore how it can empower businesses, foster collaboration, and lead to more meaningful innovation. At the same time, we will address potential pitfalls and considerations that organizations should explore when adopting open source solutions.
What is open source software?
But before we delve deeper into this topic, let's make sure everyone is on the same page by answering what exactly OSS is. OSS is a revolutionary concept that has changed our thoughts about software development and distribution. It is developed and distributed collaboratively, allowing anyone to contribute to the development of the software. This enables more meaningful innovations and more cost-effective solutions for businesses.
Most open source solutions are based on the copyleft philosophy, which states that all modifications and additions to OSS must be released under the same license, ensuring that all users benefit from improvements made by any contributor. In recent years, many companies have begun to recognize the potential of open source solutions.
Companies like Microsoft, IBM, Google and Apple have implemented open source solutions into their products and services, even pledging millions of dollars to increase their security and make it more widespread. These companies have realized significant benefits from open source solutions, including greater innovation, greater security, and cost savings.
Here are some of the most popular open source solutions used in enterprises today:
- Kubernetes
- Docker
- NGINX
- MySQL
- WordPress
- Git
- Woocommerce
- Bugzila
- Open project
- Node.JS
- Eclipse
- Initialization
Pros of Open Source Software
Let's look at four of the benefits of using and developing OSS:
1. Value for money
One of the main advantages and most attractive features of OSS is its cost-benefit ratio. Open source solutions are typically available for free, eliminating licensing fees and reducing overall project costs. This makes it an attractive option for businesses, especially startups and small businesses with limited budgets. Additionally, the open source community often offers free support and resources, further reducing expenses.
These reductions obviously depend on the size of the company and the projects in progress, but there are examples of companies saving up to half a million dollars and hundreds of hours using OSS to develop a project. For companies that develop several projects at the same time, the savings potential multiplies.
2. Flexibility and Customization
OSS offers developers unparalleled flexibility and customization options. The availability of source code allows developers to modify and adapt the software to meet their specific needs. This level of customization allows companies to create unique solutions that perfectly align with their requirements, workflows and goals. It also allows developers to fix bugs, optimize performance, and add new features, ensuring long-term viability and adaptability.
While there are thousands of SaaS alternatives on the market, they are nearly impossible to customize for a specific customer's needs. But by creating your own software using open source, you already have a head start on creating something truly unique and tailored to your specific needs.
3. Community collaboration
The open source community is a vibrant ecosystem of developers, enthusiasts, and experts who collaborate on various projects. This collective effort results in the rapid development and improvement of OSS. Developers can leverage the community's knowledge and experience, benefiting from peer reviews, bug fixes, and feature improvements. Participation in open source projects can improve a developer's reputation and provide valuable networking opportunities.
GitHub, the largest and best-known community today, reported a staggering 413 million open source contributions last year alone. This recently passed the 100 million member mark and continues to grow. If all GitHub members represented the number of citizens in a country, it would be the 15th most populous country in the world, between Egypt and Vietnam – hardly an insignificant number.
4. Transparency and Security
Transparency is a fundamental principle of OSS. The availability of source code allows developers to scan it for security vulnerabilities and perform rigorous testing. This transparency promotes trust in the software, as developers can independently verify its security and reliability. Additionally, the open source community actively contributes to identifying and resolving security issues, leading to faster response times and more robust solutions.
Because of this transparency, the speed with which bugs and threats are resolved is less than eight hours, compared to 6.9 days for developers working on proprietary software. Oh, and those almost seven days start counting only after bugs have been found and reported, as many of them aren't found until the product is released to the masses.
Cons of Open Source Software
Now, let's look at four of the disadvantages of using and developing OSS.
1. Lack of dedicated support
While OSS often has a vibrant community, it can lack dedicated support compared to proprietary software. Companies that rely on open source solutions may need to rely on forums, documentation, or community support channels for assistance. Critical or complex projects can present a challenge, as timely and reliable support is not always available.
Up to 45% of engineers working with open source reported a lack of support for their projects, which increases pressure and anxiety on them, harming their results. As long as the community is present, most problems are unique and the solution must be found, whereas with proprietary software there is usually a clear guideline for solving common and recurring problems.
2. Hidden costs
One of the main disadvantages of OSS is its cost-benefit ratio. As discussed in the previous section, it is significantly cheaper to go this route than with proprietary software, but that doesn't mean it's completely free. The hidden costs associated with OSS development, such as implementation, support and security expenses, are often ignored or underestimated in the planning phase.
Of these overlooked costs, one of the most common is training. When using proprietary software, depending on the license provisions, it may include training or be added for a reduced fee. When it comes to open source, it's the wild west; Therefore, training your staff can be expensive, if you can find someone to provide it. While there is no definitive answer to how much staff training costs, many studies draw a number closer to $1,252 per employee. So, this is a significant expense to take into account.
3. Fragmentation and compatibility issues
The open source landscape comprises multiple projects, frameworks, and libraries, leading to potential fragmentation and compatibility challenges. Integrating different open source components may require additional development effort to ensure smooth interoperability. Additionally, different projects may have different levels of maturity, documentation, and community support, impacting project timelines and stability.
There are ways to combat the disadvantages of fragmentation, such as forging greater alignment between projects, strengthening collaboration between foundations, leveraging open source maturity models, and recruiting qualified project managers to coordinate the developer network. But while there are workarounds, the nature of OSS is such that there will almost always be fragmentation and compatibility issues, and they are expensive and difficult to resolve.
4. Intellectual property and licensing issues
Companies should carefully evaluate the associated licensing terms and potential intellectual property implications when incorporating OSS into a project. Some open source licenses, such as the GNU General Public License v2.0 and the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0, require that derivative works be released under the same license. This requirement may not align with a company's proprietary software strategy, leading to conflicts or limitations on how the software can be used.
There are real consequences for not complying with license terms and requirements. In addition to the legal implications, it can cost (a lot of) money, delay projects and damage your company's reputation. This is why license terms must be carefully considered, well understood and taken seriously.
BairesDev promotes open source for a better future
We understand the challenges that come with open source solutions, but we also believe in them as a way to foster more innovation and collaboration. That's why we have a special focus on open source with a strategic set of CSR practices. We provide financial support to several open source projects, including Chakra UI, JSdelivr, Graphile, Mastodon, and Bulma, among others. We encourage our developers to contribute to open source projects, promoting collaboration and skill growth. Finally, we actively participate in open source communities, attend conferences and events, and support open source initiatives.
Conclusion
Overall, there are many benefits to using OSS. While there are unavoidable cons, the pros generally outweigh the cons, explaining why most software today uses OSS in part or in its entirety. At this point, there is little room for usage to grow, but we are likely to see innovative ways of collaborating to develop new ideas and technologies.
Source: BairesDev
