1. 1.0: INTRODUCTION
Meaning of open source software
Open source software is defined as computer software for which the sourcecode and
certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are providedunder a software
license that meets the Open Source Definition or that is in the public domain. This
permits users to use, change and improve the software and toredistribute it in modified
or unmodified forms.
Meaning of hardware
A computer’s hardware consists of the physical components necessary to operate and
interact with a computer. Since a computer’s primary language is binary, devices are
necessary to convert our input into that language. The binary code coming out of the
computer must also be translated into something usable for the operator.
Meaning of software
Software is often divide into two categories :
System software includes the operating system and all the utilities that enables
that computer to function.
Application software includes programs that do real work users. For examples
word processors, spreadsheets and database management system fall under
category of application software.