Which statement about open-source software is true?

Which statement about open-source software is true?

• A. The source code is private and cannot be modified
• B. The software cannot be redistributed
• C. The license is always paid
• D. The source code is publicly available and can be modified

Answer: (D)

Open-source software means developers publish the source code so anyone can read, modify, and share it. This aligns with the statement that the source code is publicly available and can be modified, which is the defining feature of open-source licenses that allow broad access and alteration of the code. Licenses may vary in terms of whether you must attribute the authors or share your changes, but the core idea is access and adaptability, not restriction. The other options conflict with this openness: claiming the code is private or cannot be modified contradicts the whole concept, and saying the license is always paid ignores the many free, permissive licenses that govern open-source projects.

Open-source software means developers publish the source code so anyone can read, modify, and share it. This aligns with the statement that the source code is publicly available and can be modified, which is the defining feature of open-source licenses that allow broad access and alteration of the code. Licenses may vary in terms of whether you must attribute the authors or share your changes, but the core idea is access and adaptability, not restriction. The other options conflict with this openness: claiming the code is private or cannot be modified contradicts the whole concept, and saying the license is always paid ignores the many free, permissive licenses that govern open-source projects.