Linux is unique compared to most other operating systems because it is developed and continually imposed by a large community of software developers. it is called open sources software (OSS), which means the source code is available to anyone who wants to examine, utility, change or improve it.

people who develop OSS commonly use the internet to hare their source code, manage software projects and submit comments and fices for bugs. some of the advantages of open sources software, compared to proprietary, commercial product include the following:

software is developed fast because of collaboration within a community
software bugs are promptly noted and fixed
features evolve quickly based on users' needs
the perceived value of the software increases, as it is based on usefulness, not price

the features of OSS might be beneficial, but legal licenses must exists to protect OSS from legal issues and liabilities. before learning about some of the common licenses available, you should try to learn about the following:

OPEN SOURCE
CLOSED SOURCE
FREEWARE
SHAREWARE