Does ASF count as "Open-Source"? Discuss.

Log in or register to post comments
Go To Last Post
4 posts / 0 new
Author
Message
Bronze Markawneil
awneil's picture
Level: 10k+ Postman
Joined: Fri. Jul 1, 2005
Posts: 25563 View posts
Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK
#1
Posted by awneil: Sat. Dec 6, 2014 - 11:51 AM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

It is "open" in the sense that the source is available  at no charge.

 

But it is not so open in that (entirely understandably) it may only be used on Atmel parts.

 

OF course, much of it is very specific to Atmel parts - so "may only be used on Atmel parts" is, in practice, not a problem.

 

 

Top Tips:

  1. How to properly post source code - see: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment... - also how to properly include images/pictures
  2. "Garbage" characters on a serial terminal are (almost?) invariably due to wrong baud rate - see: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/serial-communication
  3. Wrong baud rate is usually due to not running at the speed you thought; check by blinking a LED to see if you get the speed you expected
  4. Difference between a crystal, and a crystal oscillator: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  5. When your question is resolved, mark the solution: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  6. Beginner's "Getting Started" tips: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...

Tags:

Tools, Atmel Software Framework (ASF) and Atmel Start (ASFv4) (AVR-related)
Top
MuTeD
MuTeD's picture
Level: Hangaround
Joined: Tue. Oct 7, 2014
Posts: 124 View posts
Posted by MuTeD: Sat. Dec 6, 2014 - 12:52 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ope...) I copy: "Generally, open source refers to a computer program in which the source code is available to the general public for use and/or modification from its original design." So I would say yes, if the source code is available, then technically it is open source. Personally I would also expect it to be modifiable in order for it to be "open source" (so changing the "and/or" in the wiki quote to simply "and").

Top
Bronze Markawneil
awneil's picture
Level: 10k+ Postman
Joined: Fri. Jul 1, 2005
Posts: 25563 View posts
Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK
Posted by awneil: Sat. Dec 6, 2014 - 03:25 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

Aha - I hadn't realised that the "Open Software movement" is distinct from the "Free Software movement": 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ope...

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fre...

 

Quote:
Free software, software libre, or libre software[1] is computer software that gives users the freedom to run the software for any purpose...

 

So, by that definition, ASF would not be "Free Software" - because, although it is free as in beer, it is not free as in speech.

 

 

Top Tips:

  1. How to properly post source code - see: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment... - also how to properly include images/pictures
  2. "Garbage" characters on a serial terminal are (almost?) invariably due to wrong baud rate - see: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/serial-communication
  3. Wrong baud rate is usually due to not running at the speed you thought; check by blinking a LED to see if you get the speed you expected
  4. Difference between a crystal, and a crystal oscillator: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  5. When your question is resolved, mark the solution: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  6. Beginner's "Getting Started" tips: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
Top
MuTeD
MuTeD's picture
Level: Hangaround
Joined: Tue. Oct 7, 2014
Posts: 124 View posts
Posted by MuTeD: Sat. Dec 6, 2014 - 04:12 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

Yes but there is not really that much software that qualifies for the FSF. There are even only a handful of Linux distros that qualify for FSF (http://www.gnu.org/distros/free-...) while pretty much all  Linux distros are open source.

Top