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Now Lemmy Explain: Difference between Open Source Licenses (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 year ago by MargotRobbie@lemmy.world to c/nowlemmyexplain@lemmy.world
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One of my own, but posted elsewhere to explain various open source software licenses.

For this, I assume you understand what compilation is.

  • MIT and Apache are “Do whatever you want with my code, just give credit with this license file”, but Apache is a bit more detailed and has a bit more on patent clause.
  • GPL can be summarized into 2 provisions: “You have to share the source code alongside compiled executables” (.exe for windows), and “if your executables compile with GPL code, then the rest of the code that compiles also has to be GPL licensed” (Which is why some call it a viral license)
  • However, the loophole with GPL code is that if you are running anything with GPL code running on a server, you are not distributing the executable if you are only accessing it through a web page, so you don’t have to share the source code, and AGPL closes that loophole by saying “You still have to share the source code for AGPL licensed programs if you are using it as a service”
  • Companies hate GPL code since they can’t legally keep modified software close sourced, which means that Facebook won’t be able to develop proprietary extensions for AGPL licensed software like Lemmy or Mastodon.
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this post was submitted on 04 Jul 2023
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Now Lemmy Explain: Simple Explanation for Complex Topics

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Locked for now. Will reopen if there is interest.

Inspired by r/eli5 and Casually Explained.

Now Lemmy Explain: Starting the "Now Lemmy Explain" community.

I've always felt like the name "Explain Like I'm 5" is patronizing (yes, I know, it's from an Office joke). I want to see a community that's better and more entertaining to read than how it was on reddit.

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