Open source
Open source refers to software whose source code is publicly viewable and licensed to allow use, modification and redistribution.
A large part of the internet runs on open source — from operating systems to databases and frameworks. Well-known examples include Linux, WordPress, Kubernetes, React and Flutter.
Advantages are independence from individual vendors, large communities that find and fix bugs, and no per-user licence fees. It remains important to choose active projects with regular security updates and to respect the respective licence.
Circle also relies on established open-source technologies, such as Kubernetes for operations and Flutter for app development at trafe.
What to look out for
- Rely on active projects with regular updates and a large community.
- Check the licence, especially when distributing or selling your own software.
- Keep dependencies up to date and follow security advisories.
- Document your own modifications so updates remain possible.
- For business-critical use, clarify who provides support.
Common mistakes
- An abandoned project without updates becomes a load-bearing pillar.
- The core is modified so that updates can no longer be applied.
- Licence terms are ignored.
Frequently asked questions
Not inherently. Open code can be reviewed by many, gaps are often found and fixed quickly. What matters is that the project is actively maintained and updates are applied promptly.
The licence is usually free, but setup, customisation, operation and support still cost time or money.