In the " Digital environment: Building a digital environment "You have to answer the question "What can we say about a free software ?" on Pix. Discover the answer in this article.
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What characterizes free software? [Discover the answer].
Voici l’énoncé tel qu’il apparaît sur Pix :
Statement : Que peut-on dire d’un logiciel libre ?
Answer :
Qu’est-ce qu’un logiciel libre ?
To answer the question about Pix, il est essentiel de comprendre ce qu’est réellement un free software and how it differs from other types of software.
1. La définition d’un logiciel libre
A free software ou “logiciel open source” est avant tout un logiciel que l’on peut utiliser comme on le souhaite. Quiconque peut le edit, l'improve and the to share freely. Ce qui le rend vraiment particulier, c’est l’accès à son source codethat anyone can consult and adapt to their own needs. needs.
Unlike proprietary software which often impose restrictions, open-source software relies on the transparency, the freedom and the collaboration between users.
2. L’histoire du logiciel libre
L’apparition du premier logiciel libre reconnu remonte au GNU projectlaunched in the 1980s. Here are the key dates in the history of free software:
| Year | Key event |
|---|---|
| 1983 | Launch of the GNU project by Richard Stallman. Objectif : créer un système d’exploitation entièrement libre. |
| 1985 | Creation of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) to support the development and distribution of free software. |
| 1989 | Publication of the first version of the GNU GPL (General Public License), which defines freedom of use, modification and redistribution. |
| 1991 | The birth of Linuxa free kernel developed by Linus Torvalds. Combined with GNU tools, it forms a complete free operating system. |
| 1998 | Birth of the Open Source movement, qui propose une approche plus commerciale du logiciel libre, avec la création de l’Open Source Initiative (OSI). |
| 2004 | Lancement d’Ubuntu, une distribution Linux grand public qui facilite l’accès au logiciel libre. |
| 2010-2020 | Les logiciels s’imposent dans le grand public et les entreprises : Firefox, LibreOffice, VLC, etc. Major companies such as Google and Microsoft are now participating in open source projects. |
| Today | Open source software is everywhere: embedded systems, web servers, Android smartphones, education, etc. |
3. Les avantages et inconvénients d’un logiciel libre
Like all digital tools, open source software has its advantages benefits but also some limits à connaître avant de l’adopter :
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Free no license fee. | Interface sometimes less intuitive than proprietary software. |
| Access to source code : possibility of modifying it according to its needs. | Less technical support official (except via the community). |
| Grande liberté d’usage and distribution. | Limited compatibility with certain proprietary formats. |
| Enhanced safety thanks to code transparency. | Updates or irregular evolution depending on the project. |
| Communautés actives qui contribuent à l’continuous improvement. | May require compétences techniques pour l’installation or personalization. |
4. Examples of free software
Here are some well-known examples of free software:
- Mozilla Firefox free web browser.
- LibreOffice complete office suite.
- VLC Media Player multimedia player.
- GIMP free photo editing software, an alternative to Photoshop.
- Audacity : logiciel d’édition audio.
- linux : système d’exploitation libre.
- Thunderbird free e-mail client developed by Mozilla.
- Blender 3D modeling, animation and rendering software.
- Inkscape vector graphics software, an alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
- KeePass password manager.
What is Pix?
Pix is an online platform developed by the French government to assess, develop and certify digital skills. It is aimed at everyone: pupils, students, professionals and jobseekers, and offers interactive tests covering a wide range of fields. Thanks to a system of evolving questions, users can progress at their own pace and obtain a personalized profile. If required, Pix can also be used to prepare a officially recognized certification.
En résumé, un logiciel libre est un programme que l’on peut use, edit and to share freelyin all legality. It is based on the values of transparency, collaboration and digital freedom.
To find out more, read our other Pix test articles :
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