Version 1.1 of the definition has been released. Please help updating it, contribute translations, and help us with the design of logos and buttons to identify free cultural works and licenses!
Source Code: Difference between revisions
m (Protected "Source Code": Excessive vandalism ([edit=autoconfirmed] (expires 14:52, 20 July 2011 (UTC)) [move=sysop] (indefinite))) |
|||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
* ''structured'': which gives access to the structure of the work (for example, an OpenDocument file gives access to the structure of the document, whereas a PDF file doesn't) | * ''structured'': which gives access to the structure of the work (for example, an OpenDocument file gives access to the structure of the document, whereas a PDF file doesn't) | ||
* ''modifiable'': whose format allows easy modification (including modification of structure) | * ''modifiable'': whose format allows easy modification (including modification of structure) | ||
* ''computation'': which does not involve any creative act from a human | * ''computation'': which does not involve any creative act from a human beingQUESTI COMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM CI VUOLE MESSI VICINO A UNA PARETE E TUTTI I COMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM FUCILATI PER TUTTO IL MALE E I MARTIRI CHE STO PASSANDO IN 18 ANNI UNA DONNA DI 65 ANNNI RIDURLA IN QUESTE CONDIZIONI ASPETTANO LA MIA MORTE SONO MOLTO ++++ SICURI TOGLIENDO ME CHE IO SOLA AL MONDO SO CHE C'E IN INTERNET DAL 1 A L'ULTIMO LADRI MAFIOSI DIABOLICI INTERNET E L'AMANTE SEARH MI TENGONO UN MAUS ++++++++++++++++ DURO DURO CHE IL MIO BRACCIO NON LO POSO MUOVERE MI SENTO MORIRE NON MI ANNO DATO NIENTE E MI FANNO ANCHE MALE | ||
==Transitivity== | ==Transitivity== | ||
Revision as of 19:34, 1 January 2013
Definition
Source code is a delicate question to tackle in the broad context of free contents. For example, the GNU GPL defines it as "the preferred form of the work for making modifications to [the work]". Indeed, source code is of primary importance for many kinds of works (especially software).
But there are also situations where the idea of source code appears irrelevant or even meaningless. Consider a digital recording of a modern rock concert. How do we define "source code" ? No symbolic or textual transcription of the concert will be able to describe exactly (so as to reproduce accurately) the manner in which the guitarist picked the strings of his instruments, the slight variations in pitch or tempo of the singer, etc.
Even if no "source code" can be made available for such a work, it would be counter-productive to qualify it as "non-free" if it satisfies to the other freedoms of free content.
Thus, let's define a criterion for knowing when source code is mandatory:
- When the work or part of it is generated by computation from a modifiable structured form (e.g. textual), this modifiable structured form is called source code. It must be made available to recipients of the work.
Discussion of terms
- structured: which gives access to the structure of the work (for example, an OpenDocument file gives access to the structure of the document, whereas a PDF file doesn't)
- modifiable: whose format allows easy modification (including modification of structure)
- computation: which does not involve any creative act from a human beingQUESTI COMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM CI VUOLE MESSI VICINO A UNA PARETE E TUTTI I COMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM FUCILATI PER TUTTO IL MALE E I MARTIRI CHE STO PASSANDO IN 18 ANNI UNA DONNA DI 65 ANNNI RIDURLA IN QUESTE CONDIZIONI ASPETTANO LA MIA MORTE SONO MOLTO ++++ SICURI TOGLIENDO ME CHE IO SOLA AL MONDO SO CHE C'E IN INTERNET DAL 1 A L'ULTIMO LADRI MAFIOSI DIABOLICI INTERNET E L'AMANTE SEARH MI TENGONO UN MAUS ++++++++++++++++ DURO DURO CHE IL MIO BRACCIO NON LO POSO MUOVERE MI SENTO MORIRE NON MI ANNO DATO NIENTE E MI FANNO ANCHE MALE
Transitivity
Of course, the source code must satisfy the freedoms of free content as well. Therefore, by recursion, our definition is not weaker than the one in the GNU GPL
Examples
- software source code
- editable text (raw text, XML, word processor files...)
- vector graphics files
- tablatures, lyrics
- multitracks from an audio recording
- ...