Proprietary software is software in which a user has limited ability to use, modify or redistribute it, and its license often comes at a cost.
Proprietary, non-free, private or proprietary software is called the type of computer programs or applications in which the user cannot access the source code or has restricted access and, therefore, is limited in its possibilities of use, modification. and redistribution. This type of software is opposed to the more recently popularized free software, which allows anyone to modify and redistribute it.
Proprietary software is the most common, since it implies that to access it, the user must pay for a license and can only use it in a restricted context, that is, other licenses must be paid for it to be used by different computers. Furthermore, this software cannot be modified or improved in its operation, nor can it be redistributed to other recipients.
Proprietary software is often developed by corporations, as is that produced and distributed by Microsoft. These companies own the copyright in the software and therefore users cannot access the source code, distribute copies, improve it, or make improvements public.
At present, the popularity of free software developed by small companies or user groups has reached a great boom, as is the case with the Linux operating system. This type of application that allows a wide number of possibilities to the user beyond the simple fact of making use of it encourages conversations and active participation that, often, contributes to perfect the system agile and reliably. Large companies have taken note of these changes and have had to join the free software race by launching open versions of their programs or by inviting users to comment on them.
