Open Source refers to software whose source code is made publicly available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute. This model promotes collaboration and transparency, allowing developers and users to improve the software, adapt it to their needs, and share those improvements with the community. Open source software is typically distributed under licenses like the GNU General Public License (GPL) or MIT License, which set the terms for use, modification, and distribution. Popular open source projects include the Linux kernel, Apache web server, and the Python programming language. Open source is a cornerstone of collaborative software development and innovation.
