open source vs. closed source

programming-a solution to a problem

A program is a solution to a given problem.In this context read the following writeup and do post
ur comments.

The two major prgramming lifestyles are
1)"open source code" programming
2)"closed source code" programming


Now suppose ,in the real world, a person comes to u asking for a solution to a problem of his,then u:-

a) try to give him a solution by giving him a advice.ur advice could be a paid service also.now it is
upto the person seeking the advice from u ,how much of ur advice he implements in reality.he can either implement ur advice in totality or mix ur advice (or solution)with someone else's advice or he can make some changes to ur advice.u cant claim that the advice u gave has to be implemented in totality without any changes .

b)or u just say to the person to go home without giving him any advice and say to him that his problem will be solved without his knowing what u did to solve (or worsen)his problem.because he is the one who has a problem and is paying u for a solution he needs to know what are u doing to solve his problem...he needs to know what u r doing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now coming back to programming world say a person has a problem .He has just bought a new computer but it is not working ,because the computer does not have a operating system!!!.Operating system is a program which coordinates the working of a computer .so the person goes to a software deveopment firm telling them that his computer is not working and he needs a operating system for it.
Now see that the problem of customer is that his computer is not working and the solution to it is a operating system.the solution is a paid one.The firm builds the operating system and gives it to the customer.Now the customer needs to know what did the software firm did in order to solve his problem.He needs to look at the code.It is upto him how much of the code he implements on his computer or he can also add to code (solution) if he thinks so .It is not a binding on the customer that he cant change the solution of the software firm .he has paid for the solution and it is upto him what parts of the solution he wants and what not...what microsoft does is that it does not show u the solution for which u have paid for..(compare this situation with (b))


But in the open source programming world a customer gets to look at the solution for his problem and this is what is ethically correct.Open source programming world does not say "ok .pay the money and go.ur problem will be solved"..what open source programming says is"ok.pay the money and u get to know what we did to solve ur problem and it is upto u how much of the solution u want to implement".

what do u think about the above two programming lifestyles.Do mail me.

Ramneek Maan Singh
ramneekm@gmail.com