Working Open Source: the 4 Benefits, Misconceptions and Facts

Open source is a way of working that refers to system developers making their source codes publicly available through open-source licences. What are the benefits in doing so? And what are the misconceptions about open source projects? We listed the four main benefits and misconceptions, followed by the facts.

4 benefits to working open source

Open source licensing allows anyone to view, re-use, modify, or share software. It also allows for making suggestions for improvements or additions.

These are the 4 main benefits of working with open source:

1. Transparency and trust: Everyone can see how the software works and how it is designed.
2. Collaboration and innovation: Government bodies, entrepreneurs, and residents can work together on software and learn from one another.
3. Security and reliability: As the software is open to everyone, errors and vulnerabilities can be detected and examined sooner.
4. Efficiency and independence: Organisations can use each other’s software, thus avoiding unnecessary duplication and costs. In addition, they are no longer depending on 1 supplier.

4 misconceptions and facts about working open source

In 2020, the ‘Open, Unless’ policy was introduced and, since then, more and more projects have been developed using open source components. However, working on open source projects is at times still perceived as complicated, leading to misconceptions.

Here are 4 misconceptions on working open source, followed by the facts:

1. Open source is less secure than closed source. The network effect of many eyes on open source code reveals vulnerabilities sooner and creates much faster cycles of remediation.
2. Personal data cannot be processed in open source. It is possible to disclose some parts and keep other parts closed. This means that you can, for example, share source codes without content data.
3. Software made public has to be perfect. Open source projects are transparent by default. Which means you can already start publishing software while still being in the process of developing. That way, you can immediately reap the benefits of improvement suggestions.
4. Open source is only for programmers. Open source projects allow for collaborative participation and community-oriented development by people with different expertise on source codes, texts and design.

More information

For more information about the recent evolution of open source policy in the Netherlands, see the Updated Report on the State of Open Source in the Netherlands on the website of Open Source Observatory (OSOR).