The Ins and Outs of Open Source For Recruiters- What you need to know
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Open source refers to a philosophy and a licensing model for software that allows users to access, modify and distribute the source code freely. The goal of open source is to promote collaboration and sharing of information and knowledge.
The term originated in the context of software development to designate a specific approach to creating computer programs - one in which the creator shares the underlying code freely instead of only sharing the end product as a black box.
Today, however, "open source" designates a broader set of values—what we call "the open source way." Open source projects, products, or initiatives embrace and celebrate principles of open exchange, collaborative participation, rapid prototyping, transparency, meritocracy, and community-oriented development.
It is important for recruiters to understand open source software because many job candidates have experience with it, and it is widely used in various industries. Open source software skills can indicate a candidate's technical ability, creativity, and collaboration skills.
Understanding open source software also allows recruiters to better assess a candidate's fit for a company that uses open source technologies. Additionally, knowledge of open source can help recruiters identify in-demand skills and identify the most qualified candidates for a particular job.
What is open source software?
Open source software is software whose source code is made available to the public, allowing anyone to inspect, modify, and distribute the code.
This enables a community of developers to collaborate and contribute to the development of the software, leading to better quality, greater reliability and faster innovation. The availability of the “source code” also allows for transparency and helps to build trust in the software.
The source code is the written code of a software program that is written in a programming language and can be read and modified by programmers.
The source code forms the backbone of a software program and is used to build the executable code that users interact with. By having access to the source code, programmers can understand how the software works, identify bugs, add new features, or customize the program to meet their specific needs.
This level of access and control is not possible with proprietary software, where the source code is kept confidential and only the compiled, executable code is made available to users.
What's the difference between open source software and proprietary software?
Proprietary or closed source software is software whose source code is exclusively controlled and modified by the person, team, or organization that created it. The original authors of this type of software hold the legal rights to copy, inspect, and alter it, and users must agree to not engage in any unauthorized actions with the software by signing a license upon first use. Examples of proprietary software include?Microsoft Office?and?Adobe Photoshop.
Open source software, on the other hand, is software whose source code is available for anyone to inspect, modify, copy, learn from, or share. When using open source software, users must abide by the terms of a license, which differ significantly from those of proprietary licenses. Open source licenses govern how people can use, study, modify, and distribute the software.
Typically, open source licenses allow users to utilize the software for any purpose they choose.
Some open source licenses, known as "copyleft" licenses, require that anyone who releases a modified version of the software also make its source code available!
Additionally, some open source licenses demand that anyone who modifies and distributes the software must also share its source code without charging a fee. The goal of open source software licenses is to foster collaboration and sharing by enabling others to make changes to the source code and include those changes in their own projects. Open source licenses encourage programmers to access, view, and modify the software freely as long as they allow others to do the same when sharing their work. Examples of open source software include?LibreOffice?and the?GNU Image Manipulation Program.
Why is open source controversial?
Open source has been a controversial topic because it challenges traditional business models for software development and distribution.
Proponents of open source argue that it leads to more innovation, collaboration, and freedom for users and developers. They believe that open source software is often of higher quality and more secure compared to proprietary software.
On the other hand, some companies and individuals see open source as a threat to their proprietary software, which can lead to decreased profits and loss of control over their intellectual property. They also argue that open source software can be unreliable, as it relies on volunteers to maintain it. Some companies, including?Microsoft, have gone as far as to try to discredit open source, but it has since become widely accepted and is now used by many organizations.
Regardless of the debate there are some limitations to open source software which need to be addressed namely:
Limited customization options
Open source software is designed to be easily customizable, but the customization options may be limited. This could lead to frustration for those who are seeking specific solutions. Some software may not have the exact features you need, and adding these features yourself may not be feasible. Additionally, while you can modify the code of open source software, you may not have the necessary programming skills to do so.
Security risks
Open source software could be vulnerable to security risks as it is available for everyone to view and alter. Hackers can find vulnerabilities in the code and exploit them for malicious purposes. Open source software does not have a centralized support system for security, and it is the user's responsibility to secure their systems. On the other hand, proponents argue that because open source's code can be freely inspected by anyone, it actually makes the product more secure as a larger user base finds and fixes issues.
Stability issues
Open source software is often developed by a community of volunteers and is maintained by a small group of developers. This could lead to stability issues as it may not receive consistent updates and bug fixes. The software could become outdated, and the code may not be compatible with new technologies.
Despite these controversies and limitations, open source has become increasingly popular over the years, with many large companies and organizations contributing to and relying on open source software.
The widespread use of open source has also helped to dispel many of the myths and misconceptions surrounding it. Ultimately, the debate over open source is likely to continue as technology and the software industry continue to evolve.
How do open source companies make money?
Open source companies make money through a variety of business models, including:
Why does open source matter?
Organizations' use of open source is continuing to increase. In fact, in 2021, some 77% of companies reported that they were using more open-source software, while 36% said they were using significantly more open-source tools. That's?according to a survey?of more than 2,600 open-source software professionals by OpenLogic and the nonprofit Open Source Initiative.
Consequently, no matter where they work or what type of software they're building, most of today's developers rely at least partially on open source. There are a number of reasons?open source matters for developers. Some of them are:
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Speed things up
"In the modern development world, it's all about speed", said?Ori Bendet, Vice President of Product Management at security software vendor Checkmarx.
Development teams must keep up with the business's needs, so those teams need to utilize whatever they can that already exists. This includes infrastructure as a service, other external services, and open source.
"Why build it yourself if people already built it for you?", asked Bendet. "That's one of the benefits of open source."
Collaboration and Innovation
Open source software encourages collaboration and community involvement which leads to faster innovation and better products. A global network of developers, users, and contributors can pool their knowledge and resources to improve the software and resolve issues quickly. This creates a virtuous cycle of improvement and innovation where everyone benefits.
Lower Cost and Increased Accessibility
Open source software is often available for free, reducing the cost of acquiring and maintaining proprietary software for individuals, organizations and businesses.
"If you think about the sheer number of engineers around the world contributing to the development of algorithms and software, all for free, it reinforces how important the open-source movement really is", said?Alex Iceman, CEO and founder of home-automation supplier Genium. This increased accessibility means that more people, especially those in developing countries, have access to high-quality software and technology.
Transparency and Security
Open source software is transparent, allowing anyone to review its code and identify potential security issues. This makes it easier to fix vulnerabilities and improve the overall security of the software. In contrast, proprietary software is often less secure because only the manufacturer can review and make changes to its code.
In conclusion, open source software accelerates development, drives innovation and collaboration, reduces costs, and provides increased security and transparency, making it a valuable asset to individuals, organizations and the tech community at large.
What are the top open source projects?
Here are some of the most influential and widely-used open source projects of the past (not an exhaustive list):
Operating Systems:
Servers:
Programming Languages:
Software:
These open source projects have shaped the landscape of software development and technology and continue to do so at present.
What are the top current open source companies?
Here is a list of top companies using and building open source software based on their use and contribution to open source projects, market share, and industry recognition:
Implications of open source on recruiting
For institutions that have yet to complete their digital transformation, it can be a real struggle to attract tech talent to their organizations. While many turn to prestige, perks, and other benefits to lure the best talent, organizations could be better served by shifting their focus elsewhere: the software their employees use. Today’s tech talent expects to use open source software — here’s why:
Overall, the use of open source technology in recruiting can lead to better-suited candidates, lower costs, and improved company reputation, making it a valuable tool for tech companies in the recruitment process.
Phone screens with candidates with experience in open source
When a candidate mentions use of open source software on their resume, a recruiter can ask the following questions to better understand their experience:
These questions can help the recruiter gauge the candidate's level of involvement in open source projects, their technical abilities, and their ability to work with others in a collaborative environment.
About Rocket
Rocket?pairs talented recruiters with advanced AI to help companies hit their hiring goals and knows technology recruiting inside out. Rocket is headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley but has recruiters all over the US & Canada serving the needs of our growing client base across engineering, product management, data science and more through a variety of offerings and solutions.
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