The GNU General Public License (GPL) is a widely used free software license, which guarantees end users the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software. Its popularity is evident in the vast array of influential open source projects that have adopted it.
Below, we explore the top 10 open source projects licensed under the GPL, highlighting their objectives, uses, and where to download them.
1. GNU/Linux Operating System
- About: GNU/Linux, commonly just called Linux, is an operating system that is a cornerstone of the open-source movement. It's a Unix-like OS that is known for its versatility, security, and performance.
- Objective: Its primary goal is to provide a free and open-source OS for various computing platforms.
- Context: Linux is used in servers, desktops, mobile devices, and embedded systems.
- Download: Available from various distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian.
2. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
- About: GIMP is a powerful, open-source image editing software.
- Objective: It aims to provide a freely distributed image editor for tasks such as photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring.
- Context: Widely used by graphic designers, photographers, and illustrators.
- Download: Can be downloaded from GIMP's official website.
3. VLC Media Player
- About: VLC is a free and open-source, cross-platform multimedia player.
- Objective: It aims to play most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols.
- Context: Used by general consumers for playing multimedia files.
- Download: Available at VLC's official website.
4. WordPress
- About: WordPress is a highly popular open-source content management system.
- Objective: Its goal is to provide a user-friendly tool for individuals and businesses to create and manage websites.
- Context: Used for blogging, business websites, and e-commerce.
- Download: Download from WordPress.org.
5. LibreOffice
- About: LibreOffice is a powerful office suite.
- Objective: It aims to provide an open-source, high-quality productivity suite accessible to all.
- Context: Used for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more.
- Download: Available at LibreOffice's website.
6. Apache HTTP Server
- About: The Apache HTTP Server is a robust, commercial-grade, and feature-full web server.
- Objective: It aims to provide a secure, efficient, and extensible server that provides HTTP services.
- Context: Used for hosting websites on the internet.
- Download: Can be downloaded from Apache's official site.
7. MySQL
- About: MySQL is a widely-used open-source relational database management system.
- Objective: It is designed for enterprise applications, web databases, and as a backend for various software.
- Context: Commonly used in web applications and online publishing.
- Download: Available at MySQL's official website.
8. Blender
- About: Blender is an open-source 3D creation suite.
- Objective: It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking.
- Context: Used by artists, animators, and game developers.
- Download: Can be downloaded from Blender's website.
9. Audacity
- About: Audacity is a free, open-source, cross-platform audio software.
- Objective: It is designed for multi-track audio recording and editing.
- Context: Widely used by musicians, podcasters, and sound editors.
- Download: Available at Audacity's website.
10. Git
- About: Git is a free and open-source distributed version control system.
- Objective: It aims to handle everything from small to very large projects with speed and efficiency.
- Context: Used by software developers for source code management.
- Download: Can be downloaded from Git's website.
These projects not only demonstrate the popularity of the GNU General Public License but also its significance in fostering innovation and collaboration in the software community. Each project is a testament to the power of open-source principles in various fields of technology and creativity.