Source Code

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 criterium for knowing when source code is mandatory:

• When the work or part of it is generated by computation from a symbolic modifiable form (e.g. textual), the symbolic modifiable form is called source code. It must be made available to recipients of the work.

Discussion of terms

• symbolic: which is constituted of discrete symbols of any kind (characters, numbers, etc.)
• computation: which does not involve any creative act from a human being
• modifiable: whose format allows easy modification

Transitivity

Of course, the source code must satisfy to the freedoms of free content as well. Therefore, by recursivity, 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
• ...