What
is open source? Open-source software is software that makes the source
code freely available, for anyone to see and use. There are different
open-source licenses that have different use conditions, from the GPL
(GNU General Public License) -- which allows "free distribution under
the condition that further developments and applications are put under
the same license" -- to more liberal licenses like the Apache License,
which doesn't require modifications to be open and have the source code
available. Android uses both of these licenses, and we'll have a look
at them in turn.
The Linux kernel that is
used in the OS is covered under the GPL. This means that any changes
made to the source code must be made available when a binary (geek-speak
for a compiled, executable piece of software) is released to the
public. This means manufacturers like HTC, Samsung, Motorola and the
rest must release the kernel source-code for any devices they sell at
the same time they begin selling them. For the most part, hardware
manufacturers are pretty good about doing so, but they often miss the
time frame and release the source code a little later than we would
like. These are the code releases you see us mention -- the kernel and
other open-source "bits" that are covered under the GPL.
The
Android OS source code is released mostly under the Apache License.
Anybody is allowed to download the source code and change it however
they like, but they are not required to make their changes available in
source code form to the public. This is why we can't change and
recompile things like HTC Sense or MotoBlur -- the changes to the base
Android source code aren't available to us. While many folks (myself
included) don't like this situation very much, it does make sense from a
business standpoint. If manufacturers had to share all of their
secrets, there wouldn't be as much monetary incentive to innovate, so
the source was offered with a far more liberal license. It certainly
worked, as we see devices from many major players in the electronics
world.
ref :
http://www.androidcentral.com/what-open-source-android-z
"curiosity is motivation"
"letz share coz i only ask for information"
thanks bro.. visit my blog too,, http://baskom-mad.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete