GNU General Public License: What it is and what it's for

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The GNU General Public License (GNU GPL) is a set of terms and conditions designed to govern the use, modification, and distribution of software . Created by the Free Software Foundation (FSF) under the direction of Richard Stallman, this license has played a crucial role in promoting free software and defending users' fundamental freedoms.

Table of contents

What is the GNU General Public License?
Fundamental Freedoms of the GNU GPL:
How does the GNU GPL work in practice?
Impact and Contributions:
What is the GNU General Public License?
The GNU GPL is a software license that grants users the viber database to use, study, modify, and share the software. Rather than restricting these actions, as proprietary licenses do, the GPL seeks to protect users' freedoms and promote a free and open software ecosystem.

The fundamental principle of the GNU GPL is that anyone who receives a copy of a program licensed under this license has the right not only to use that program, but also to access the source code , modify it as needed, and distribute those modifications to others. This creates a cycle of collaboration and transparency that has driven the creation of numerous free software projects.

Fundamental Freedoms of the GNU GPL:
Freedom to use the software: You can run the program for any purpose, without restrictions.
Freedom to study how it works: You have access to the source code and can examine how the program performs its functions.
Freedom to modify the software: You can adapt the program to your needs and make improvements.
Freedom to share the software: You may distribute copies of your modified version of the software.
How does the GNU GPL work in practice?
When a developer chooses to license their software under the GNU GPL, they are committing their project to following the principles of freedom mentioned above. This means that anyone who uses, modifies, or distributes the software must respect those freedoms and, in turn, provide access to the source code for modified versions.

It is important to note that the GNU GPL does not prohibit the sale of software. However, it does state that when software is distributed, whether for free or for a fee, the user's freedoms must remain intact.

Impact and Contributions:
The GNU GPL has been a driving force behind many successful free software projects, including the GNU/Linux operating system. Numerous open source programs and libraries have adopted this license, fostering a culture of collaboration and sharing in the software development community.

To sum up, we can highlight that the GNU General Public License is an essential tool to guarantee users' freedoms and encourage the development of free software. By adopting this license, developers contribute to the creation of a digital environment where transparency, collaboration and freedom are the fundamental pillars of technological progress.