What are some of the characteristics of Open Source Software?

Open source software is a type of software in which permission is granted to anyone to use, modify, and enhance the software at any time. Other characteristics of open source software include transparency in code, expansive licensing, ability to do upgrades quickly, and redistribution rights.

Open source software is often free to use, although some do have a small fee. Many open source software companies have become popular, and most people do not even realize they are open source. Those brands include Wordpress, Firefox, and Audacity.