Introductionto freesoftware for ScientificComputingMorrisLawITCoordinator,ScienceFacultyFeb7,2018
Introduction to free software for Scientific Computing Morris Law IT Coordinator, Science Faculty Feb 7, 2018
Course OutlineThedifferenceamongfree softwarefreeware,sharewareand commercialsoftwareComparison of open sourcesoftwareandcommercialsoftwareDemonstration of usefulopen sourcesoftwareReferenceURL
Course Outline ◼ The difference among free software, freeware, shareware and commercial software ◼ Comparison of open source software and commercial software ◼ Demonstration of useful open source software ◼ Reference URL
Differentkindsof softwarefreesoftwareproprietary softwarepublic domain software(withsource)softwareunderlax permissive licensepublic domain software(without source)copyleftedsoftwaresoftwareunderGPLsharewareopen source softwarefree-downloadsoftware
Different kinds of software
Important terms in SoftwareFreeSoftware Software that has freedomto use,modify and distribute to othersOpenSourceSoftware Similar tofree software but stressed in source codeavailabilityPublicdomainSoftware:Copyleftedsoftware:GeneralPublicLicensed（GPL)softwareAspecial caseofcopyleftedsoftwareProprietarySoftware:prohibited to use,redistribute and modifyShareware:
Important terms in Software ◼ Free Software ◼ Software that has freedom to use, modify and distribute to others ◼ Open Source Software ◼ Similar to free software but stressed in source code availability ◼ Public domain Software: ◼ Copylefted software: ◼ General Public Licensed (GPL) software ◼ A special case of copylefted software ◼ Proprietary Software: ◼ prohibited to use, redistribute and modify. ◼ Shareware:
Whatisfreeware?Software can be freely used andredistributed.(zeroprice)Freewareoften comewithno sourcecodeFreewareisnot freesoftwareinwhichfreedomto modify and improveistheconcern.e.g.AcrobatReader,PowerArchiver,7-zip,ImgBurn,VLCMediaPlayer
What is freeware? ◼ Software can be freely used and redistributed. (zero price) ◼ Freeware often come with no source code. ◼ Freeware is not free software in which freedom to modify and improve is the concern. ◼ e.g. Acrobat Reader, PowerArchiver, 7-zip, ImgBurn, VLC Media Player