From Linux to Mozilla Firefox, PHP to WordPress, OpenOffice to Python, there are many open source tools and technologies. And the movement is only growing.
In 1983, Richard Stallman, a developer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), pioneered an innovative idea: the concept of accessible, freely modifiable software. This led to the creation of its GNU Public License.
Since then, “open source” has taken on a whole new meaning. Today, it is not just an idea, but a global phenomenon. From Linux to Mozilla Firefox, PHP to WordPress, OpenOffice to Python, open source tools and technologies abound. And the movement is only growing.
Let's take a look at the top open source software trends in 2024.
What is open source software?
Since its beginnings, open source software has essentially been a crowdsourcing initiative for software developers. The idea behind this is that anyone can contribute to the source code as well as change and modify it. Proprietary software, on the other hand, can only be modified by the program owner.
This is why open source software is more or less a group project. It is also supported by a community of users who can add additional features and make it work even better. Most open source software is also free.
That doesn't mean there aren't rules involved. Users must still agree to the terms governing acceptable use and behavior.
Benefits of Open Source Software
Open source software offers several benefits, including:
Accessibility
Most open source software is free. Even when you have to pay fees, such as for the product you are trying to build, the expenses you will incur will be much less than they would be if you used proprietary software.
Community
Open source software is supported by communities of other developers and technology professionals. This helps with programming because professionals can interact with colleagues, ask questions, troubleshoot issues, and solve problems — all while bonding over shared techniques and interests.
Security
Since anyone can modify open source software, this means that when errors or bugs are present in early versions of the product, community members will be quick to step in and fix them, contributing to a safer, more usable release.
Stability
Open source software is considered highly stable. This is because there is usually a development community working on it, fixing bugs, creating updates, and developing upgrades. This often leads to very stable solutions that can work at any time.
Flexibility
Because the code behind open source projects is essentially crowdsourced, it offers engineers flexibility. They can edit and change it as they wish, as well as manipulate it to meet their specific needs.
Learning Opportunities
For new developers, open source software is an opportunity to test your skills and try something new. This is freely accessible by providing a canvas on which they can further develop their coding skills and ask questions of more experienced developers.
Predictions for 2024
Open source software has found a place in every industry, and you'll find it in a variety of companies' stacks. What's coming this year? Here are the open source software trends that should be on your radar.
1. The market will grow
Being the backbone of many companies' operations, open source software has seen enormous growth in the past few years and is on track to expand at an even faster pace in the future. A report from MarketsandMarkets projects that the open source services market, worth $21.7 billion in 2021, will reach $50 billion in 2026, a 130% growth rate.
Increasingly, companies of all types will expand their services and operations, in part thanks to open source software.
2. There will be a great demand for skills in the area
According to the 2021 Open Source Jobs Report: 9th Annual Critical Skills, Hiring Trends and Education Report , half of managers plan to increase hiring of open source professionals. But this also presents a challenge for managers – they may have difficulty finding professionals in the space with the necessary knowledge. necessary skills and experience.
Perhaps that's why the vast majority are prioritizing hiring professionals certified in open source. In fact, 88% of respondents gave this answer, compared to just 57% in 2020. So basic skills are not enough – specializations are critical.
3. Users will consider open source alternatives to proprietary software
With the rise of open source software, it's no surprise that an increasing number of users are turning to alternatives to proprietary software, taking advantage of often free tools that offer similar features. For example, they might consider hugging:
- Audacity on Apple LogicPro
- Gimp over Adobe Photoshop
- Inkscape over Illustrator
- Jami via WhatsApp
- LibreOffice over Microsoft Office
- Nextcloud over Google Drive
- Nixnote over Evernote
- VLC on Windows Media Player
4. Security will be emphasized and increased
Security is one of the reasons why so many companies turn to open source software. And now, developers are paying more and more attention and increasing security measures. They will focus more on detecting vulnerabilities, leveraging tools that will be able to identify issues, and staying up to date on threats that could wreak havoc on their products.
Additionally, the community around open source software will continue to work together to protect against attacks by patching and fixing flaws that could be infiltrated by cybercriminals.
5. Developers will create open source software DEI in mind
In late 2021, the Linux Foundation released new research on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) trends in open source software. The good news is that 82% of respondents said they “feel welcome” in open source.
However, there is still a long way to go to close the capital gaps. The report also revealed that the 18% who said they did not feel welcome came from disproportionately underrepresented groups, including people with disabilities, transgender people and racial and ethnic minority groups.
In light of these and other challenges, the open source community will renew its focus on DEI efforts. Software is built on accessibility, so it's only natural that communities continue to strive to improve technology so that equity is central.
Embrace Open Source Software Trends
Open source software plays a critical role in the way we work and live our lives. This year, and in the future, we will see the country face challenges and reach new heights. What's next for open source software? One thing is certain: it is only gaining popularity and widespread use.
