What distinguishes open-source software from commercial software?

Open-source software is distinguished from commercial software primarily by the ability to access and modify the source code. This characteristic allows users not only to use the software but also to adapt and improve it according to their needs. The open-source model promotes collaboration and sharing among developers, which can lead to rapid innovation and improvement of the software.

Unlike commercial software, where the source code is typically not accessible to end users, open-source software encourages transparency and community involvement. This enables a wide variety of applications to be created, customized, and optimized by anyone with the requisite programming skills. Users can fix bugs, implement new features, or tailor the software to better fit specific requirements without waiting for updates from a vendor.

This open-access nature can also lead to enhanced security, as a larger number of developers examining the code can identify and rectify vulnerabilities more quickly than a closed-source model might allow. Thus, the ability to access and modify the source code is a core attribute that clearly sets open-source software apart from commercial alternatives, which often come with restrictions on use, modification, and distribution.