Open source tools is a phrase used to mean a program — or tool — that performs a very specific task, in which the source code is openly published for use and/or modification from its original design, free of charge. Open source tools are typically created as a collaborative effort in which programmers improve upon the code and share the changes within the community, and is usually available at no charge under a license defined by the Open Source Initiative.
Open source tools may be viable alternatives to popular closed-source applications and some open source tools offers features or performance benefits that surpass their commercial counterparts. The phrase open source tools is synonymous with open source utility and similar to open source applications.
See also open source.
Learn more about open source tools on Datamation.
