The essential difference between an operating system such as Linux and one…
2019
The essential difference between an operating system such as Linux and one such as Windows is that:
Answer: D. Any programmer can modify Linux code, which is not permitted with Windows. — ConceptOpen-source software makes its source code available under a license that permits users to inspect, modify, and redistribute it. Proprietary software…
- A.
Windows can run with an Intel processor whereas Linux cannot.
- B.
Linux is proprietary, whereas Windows is not.
- C.
There are multiple versions of Linux, but only one version of Windows.
- D.
Any programmer can modify Linux code, which is not permitted with Windows.
Attempted by 15 students.
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Correct answer: D
Concept
Open-source software makes its source code available under a license that permits users to inspect, modify, and redistribute it. Proprietary software keeps its source code and modification rights under the vendor’s control.
Application
The Linux kernel is released under the GNU General Public License version 2 (GPL-2.0), so developers may obtain and modify its source code subject to that license. Windows is proprietary software; ordinary users do not receive comparable source-code modification rights.
Contrast
The Intel-processor statement concerns hardware compatibility: both Linux distributions and Windows run on Intel-compatible processors.
The proprietary-software statement reverses the licensing positions of Linux and Windows.
The versions statement overlooks the many Windows releases and editions as well as the many Linux distributions.
The source-code modification statement expresses the open-source versus proprietary licensing distinction.
Therefore, the distinguishing statement is: Any programmer can modify Linux code, which is not permitted with Windows.