Software Architect's Handbook

Should I use open source software (OSS)?

When searching for an externally developed solution that will solve a design problem, one possibility is to find open source software (OSS) that will fulfill your needs. OSS is written by the community and is intended for use by the community.

Given the wide availability and range of open source software, there are many solutions available for a variety of problems. It is much more common now to use open source solutions as part of a software application. Some organizations do not permit the use of open source software but if your organization does, then you should give it consideration as a viable alternative for a given task.

One consideration when selecting open source software is the license that ...