You might not realize it, but many of the popular tools and technologies we rely on daily have open source code. Mozilla, a widely used browser, Linux, an operating system that powers countless servers, and WordPress, the platform behind millions of websites – these are just a few examples that are familiar to everybody. The open-source philosophy has become a driving force, fostering collaboration, innovation, and customization in software development.
In this interview, we will talk about the importance of open-source software with Andrii Kovalov, a seasoned Python Engineer. We’ll cover its benefits and challenges, and discuss how to make the right choice for your organization.
What is open-source software, and how does it differ from proprietary software?
As the name suggests, open-source software is software in which the source code is open for everyone to view, use, modify, and distribute. This means it’s generally free to use, and users can contribute to its development by adding features or fixing bugs. However, its licensing can be somewhat complicated. There are various types of open-source licenses (like MIT, GPL, or Apache) with their own rules about how the software can be used. But in most cases, you can incorporate open-source tools into your projects without any fees.
Proprietary software, on the other hand, is owned by an individual or company and its source code is not available to the public. You need to pay for a license to use it and you can’t modify the code or see how it works under the hood.
What are the key benefits of using open-source tools in software development projects?
Open-source solutions offer a lot of benefits, but I’ll highlight a couple of the most significant ones:
-
The inherent value of the software itself. Open-source software often brings a wide variety of functionality and logic to your project right away. You get a solid foundation that can really speed up your development process and that has been tested and improved over time by a community of developers.
-
Time and cost savings. With open-source tools, you quickly integrate the required functionality without having to reinvent the wheel. Rather than having to spend weeks or even months (depending on the complexity of your project) to write your own code, you can simply use existing solutions in your project.
Are there any technical challenges associated with working with open-source tools?
Yes, there are definitely some downsides to take into account:
-
Dependency management. If you’re integrating multiple open-source libraries, you may experience version conflicts. For example, if two libraries require different versions of the same dependency, it can be difficult to resolve those conflicts. Consequently, you often need to look through the documentation or even the code itself to figure out how to make everything work nicely together.
-
The potential for projects to be abandoned by their initial supporters. This happens for a number of reasons: the original contributors can lose interest or move on to other projects, and the tool you’re using is left without support. Such projects are likely to end up being archived and, obviously, they won’t receive updates or bug fixes, or they can be forked by someone else in the community who has a different vision for it.
What factors should be considered when choosing open-source software for a project?
There are so many great tools that it is sometimes really hard to pick the right solution. Here’s what I usually look at when I’m choosing open-source projects:
-
The actual value the tool brings. The open-source solution you choose has to solve the problem you’re facing, offer the functionality you need, and match your project’s requirements. Implementing a new, trendy solution if it doesn’t improve your workflow or bring any benefits might just add unnecessary complexity to your project.
-
Popularity and community. Popular tools are more likely to have regular updates, bug fixes, and plenty of documentation and resources, which can make a huge difference in the long run. A project with many stars or contributors on GitHub, for example, is usually a good sign that it’s actively maintained and supported by a large community.
-
License. Open-source software doesn’t always imply that you can do whatever you want with the code, especially in commercial settings. You need to check the license terms before implementing a solution to make sure that you’re allowed to use the tool in your specific use case. Some licenses have certain restrictions, so it’s always good to understand the legal side before you decide to use specific software.
What is your personal experience with open-source software? Do you have a favorite open-source tool?
I love open-source software. I’d say that about 95% of the software I use both for work and personal purposes is open-source. As a Python backend developer, I’m really grateful for how strong the open-source ecosystem is in Python. There’s pretty much a tool for every use case you can imagine.
As for my favorite tools, here are my top picks for various needs:
-
REST API Development. If you’re building REST APIs, I’d suggest turning to FastAPI, Flask, or Django, each has its own strengths depending on the project’s needs.
-
ORM for SQL Databases. If you need an ORM solution, Django and SQLAlchemy, both are excellent tools with robust features.
-
Data Validation. If you need to validate data, Pydantic or Marshmallow are great options to tame chaos and handle data parsing and serialization effectively.
-
Machine Learning Stack. For machine learning projects, I prefer libraries like PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, NumPy, and Pandas. These tools offer a comprehensive suite for model building, data manipulation, and analysis.
-
Working with LLMs. If you’re dealing with LLMs, LangChain and Llama-Index are powerful libraries that simplify the integration and utilization of advanced models. In fact, you can find open-source libraries for just about any task related to ML or LLMs.
To sum it all up
Open-source software is a vital component of the modern tech ecosystem that offers developers a rich foundation for growth and provides businesses with the flexibility they need to succeed. But its influence extends well beyond just the code. It embodies a philosophy of transparency, collaboration, and innovation that opens up new opportunities and fosters a culture of creativity.