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Questions tagged [free-software-definition]

Questions about the definition of free software according to the Free Software Foundation

The Free Software Foundation considers software Free Software when the license terms grant the user four essential freedoms:

  • The freedom to run the program as you wish, for any purpose (freedom 0).
  • The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
  • The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
  • The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others (freedom 3). By doing this you can give the whole community a chance to benefit from your changes. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.

Source: http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.en.html

40 questions
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Is there a universal definition of free software?

I was reading the question Are discriminatory free licenses still free? Regardless the merit of that particular question, one answers states that according to the definition The license must not discriminate against any person or group of…
clem steredenn
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3
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1 answer

Deliberately deleting test suites in free software

Imagine a person develops a program. During development, he/she writes tests for it. But tests are removed before publishing the program. If the developer relies heavily on the tests then they seem to be a part of the "preferred source of…
simpadjo
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