Open-source software (OSS) is software whose source code has been made available to the public to view, use, modify, and distribute. Unlike proprietary software, which has much of the underlying code hidden from view, OSS enables developers to see how a program works and edit it for their own purposes.
Some of the well-known OSS projects are Linux, Python, and Mozilla Firefox. OSS is typically maintained by contributors, from a single developer to larger organizations, who work together through tools like GitHub. This pattern lends itself easily to distribution and collaboration, leading to the first point.
For organizations, OSS lowers licensing fees, shortens time to delivery, and mitigates vendor lock-in. It helps the wider tech ecosystem because it provides a path to innovation by providing foundational tools to everyone, regardless of their budget or company size.