Free and open-source software

The terms Free / Libre Open Source Software and Free and Open Source Software and their acronyms FLOSS or FOSS are hybrid terms for free software and open source software. The terms are often used to circumvent the unresolved name dispute between the two movements.

Background of the name dispute

The background is that the historically older term "free software" is considered from the perspective of some advocates of free software was unsuitable, in order to promote the marketing of Free Software in Business. For this reason, the neutral term Open Source was founded in 1998 elected, which was adopted by many developers, users and much of the press ever since. On the other hand, however, reject others, such as the founder of the Free Software movement, Richard Stallman, the formulation strictly (see Free Software # OpenSource).

In order both parties to take into account when naming this software field, one often speaks of FOSS or FLOSS.

FOSS versus FLOSS

Since the acronym FOSS possibly also the German ("F" for free) only corresponds to the English title, the term FLOSS was introduced with the time that is most more widely spoken languages ​​meet. Just trying to take the concept to a free mentality, because the L as in libre (French and Spanish), livre ( Portuguese), or libero ( Italian) clearly stands for freedom.

The creators of the terms proposed, with their acronym to alienate neither the supporters of free software philosophy nor that of the open source philosophy. It was hoped to be able to relax the frictions between the two movements and thus to improve their cooperation. In fact recommended Richard Stallman, the founder of the concept of free software in public, to use the term, especially for research projects that wish to appear neutral in this matter.

The end of 2004 FLOSS has prevailed in the English version in a number of official documents in some countries, including South Africa, Spain and Brazil.