Google Cloud Digital Leader 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The characteristic that describes software whose source code is publicly available and can be used, modified, and shared freely is known as open source. Open source software promotes a collaborative approach to software development, allowing individuals and organizations to access the source code, enhance it, and distribute their modifications. This model encourages innovation and transparency, as users can directly contribute to the software's evolution, ensuring that it evolves in ways that meet their needs.

Open source software often comes with licenses that dictate how the software can be used and shared, but fundamentally, the key aspect is the freedom to inspect and modify the code. This creates an inclusive environment where developers and users can work together to improve the software for a variety of purposes, benefiting a wider community rather than being restricted to a single company or entity.

In contrast, closed source and proprietary software restrict access to source code, limiting users' ability to modify or share the software. Open standards, while promoting interoperability and compatibility between different software systems, do not necessarily imply that the source code is available for modification or use.