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==Definition==
==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).
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).


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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.
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:
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 modifiable structured form (e.g. textual), this modifiable structured form is called ''source code''. It must be made available to recipients of the work.'''
* '''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==
==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)
* ''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
* ''computation'': which does not involve any creative act from a human being
* ''modifiable'': whose format allows easy modification


==Transitivity==
==Transitivity==
Of course, the source code must satisfy the freedoms of free content as well.
Of course, the source code must satisfy to the freedoms of free content as well.
Therefore, by recursion, our definition is not weaker than the one in the GNU GPL
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
* multitracks from an audio recording
* multitracks from any video recording
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