Open Source SoftwareOpen Source Software

Mike JeaysInformatics Technology Services Division

Statistics CanadaApril 2003

Phone : 613-951-9929

Fax : 613-951-0395

What is it?What is it?

• Software that is made available to any user, complete with all source code, and often with compiled executables

• Variety of licenses

• FREE – no restrictions on its use

• World-wide community of developers and maintainers

HistoryHistory

• Free Software Foundation – Richard Stallman – 1984/85

• GNU C Compiler – Richard Stallman

• Xfree86 - 1986

• Linux – Linus Torvalds - 1991

• GNOME and KDE environments

• Growing world-wide acceptance

BenefitsBenefits

• Open formats (use of XML)

• Long-term stability

• Excellent security

• Rapid fixes for urgent problems

• Modifiable

• Reduced costs

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

• More diversity and less coherence

• Lack of formal support from a vendor

• Modifiable

License SpectrumLicense Spectrum

Public dom

ain

GP

L

BS

D

Indefinite

Leased

Sharew

areVendor-friendly

User-friendly

Principal LicensesPrincipal Licenses

• GPL – Allows anyone to use and modify it, but if modified versions are distributed, the source code for the modifications must also be distributed. Special rules for libraries

• BSD – does not even have this restriction. Credit must be given to the original authors; you can't pretend you wrote it. Can be incorporated into proprietary products.

Operating SystemsOperating Systems

• Linux – very popular at present

• FreeBSD – less well known, better managed

• OpenBSD – exceptional security record, strong cryptography, Canadian development group

• NetBSD - multi-platformAll have an excellent reputation for robustness, reliability and security

Programming LanguagesProgramming Languages

• C/C++ (GNU Compiler) – Richard Stallman

• TCL/TK – John Ousterhout

• Perl – Larry Wall

• Python – Guido van Rossum

• Ruby – Yukihiro Matzumoto (Matz)

• PHP – Rasmus Ledorf

• Smalltalk

• Java (not fully open-source) – SUN

• Many others...

Desktop EnvironmentsDesktop Environments

These provide a desktop environment similar to Windows.

• KDE

• GNOME

Both are based on X-Free, an open-source implementation of X-Windows

Layered ConstructionLayered Construction

KernelFileSystem

Xfree86 (X-Windows)

KDE GNOME

Applications

Disk

Scre

enKeyboar

d

Office SuitesOffice Suites

• OpenOffice (Calc, Draw, Impress, Math, Writer)

• KDE utilities (KWord, KSpread, Kpresenter, Kmail)

• Abiword (Word processor)

• Gnumeric (Spreadsheet)

DatabasesDatabases

• MySQL

• Postgres

Both are capable of running large databases with high transaction rates

SQL interface

• PGAccess – graphical front-end for Postgres

• (NB: Oracle and DB2 run on Linux)

Mail and CalendaringMail and Calendaring

• Evolution (Outlook look-alike)

• Mozilla (formerly Netscape)

• Others

Web BrowsersWeb Browsers

• Mozilla (formerly Netscape)

• Konqueror (KDE Suite)

• Phoenix

• Galeon

• Opera (not open source; charge for version without advertisements)

Web Support ToolsWeb Support Tools

• Apache ( Web server)– Perl– PHP

• ZOPE (Web Server and web content management)

• PhpNuke (Web content management)

• MidGard (Web content management)

DistributionsDistributions

• CD sets with integrated collection of software• Support arrangements• Possibly some proprietary components• Free download of CD images• Examples:

Red Hat Slackware Mandrake

Caldera Suse Lindows

Quality : Run-time attributesQuality : Run-time attributes• Suitability: Fitness for purpose

– Internationalisation• Precision: Data can be trusted• Performance, Availability: Assists getting the job done• Reliability, Security: Software can be trusted

– Relatively virus-free• Understandability, Usability: Easy to learn and use• Reusability, Robustness: Skills are applicable elsewhereSoftware Quality Framework: Software Best Practices Group

Potential use at Statistics Potential use at Statistics Canada?Canada?

• Use on servers• SAS and Oracle both run on Linux machines• Equivalents for all current desktop tools• Ximian Mono – future support for .NET languages and run-

time• RDesktop – GPL client for Windows Terminal Server• Crossover Office allows Office products to run on Linux

machines

What needs to be done?What needs to be done?

• Research project and demonstration– Verify functionality and performance– Conversion of legacy applications– Investigate migration techniques– Review directions taken by other

government departments– Evaluate costs and future savings– Develop a strategy for the department

ConclusionConclusion

• Open Source products now a mature alternative

• World-wide use, with growing interest

• Emphasis on – open formats – security issues– reduction in costs