What characterizes open-source software?

Open-source software is characterized by its licensing model, which allows users to freely modify and share the software. This reflects the fundamental principles of open-source development, emphasizing collaboration, transparency, and community participation. When software is labeled as open-source, it is typically accompanied by a license that grants users the right to access the source code, enabling them to make enhancements or adaptations to suit their needs.

This model promotes innovation and allows a diverse range of applications to emerge from a single piece of software, as developers can build upon existing work without the barriers that proprietary software often imposes. Consequently, the community can collectively improve and maintain the software over time, leading to robust and feature-rich applications.