Free Software and Linux Ayaz Ahmed Khan. Me, myself, and … ► Came up with a snazzy title to describe myself: Free Software Advocate and Linux Evangelist.

Free Software and Free Software and LinuxLinux

Ayaz Ahmed KhanAyaz Ahmed Khan

Me, myself, and …Me, myself, and …

►Came up with a snazzy title to Came up with a snazzy title to describe myself: Free Software describe myself: Free Software Advocate and Linux Evangelist Advocate and Linux Evangelist

►Professionally, I work as a Software Professionally, I work as a Software Engineer at Avanza Solutions.Engineer at Avanza Solutions.

►Personally, I develop software on and Personally, I develop software on and for Linux in my free time.for Linux in my free time.

►Generally, people think I am a guy who Generally, people think I am a guy who takes Linux where ever I go. takes Linux where ever I go.

► I have been developing software on I have been developing software on Linux for a few years now.Linux for a few years now.

► I happen to have a bit of history with I happen to have a bit of history with FAST that has everything to do with FAST that has everything to do with Linux.Linux.

► I am just a normal guy who people think I am just a normal guy who people think is obsessed with Linux.is obsessed with Linux.

►And I am also very much contagious. ;-)And I am also very much contagious. ;-)

What I’ll talk about!What I’ll talk about!

►A little bit about Linux.A little bit about Linux.►Buzz words like Software Patents, Buzz words like Software Patents,

Copyright, Copyleft, Free Software, Copyright, Copyleft, Free Software, General Public License (GPL), etc.General Public License (GPL), etc.

►More about Linux.More about Linux.►Software development in Linux.Software development in Linux.►A glimpse of what Linux and the Free A glimpse of what Linux and the Free

Software world has to offer to a Software world has to offer to a developer.developer.

LinuxLinux

► It’s much more than just a word we It’s much more than just a word we keep hearing about.keep hearing about.

► It is an Operating System.It is an Operating System.►Technically, the heart of Operating Technically, the heart of Operating

System, the kernel, is called Linux.System, the kernel, is called Linux.►Loosely, it is used to refer to a growing Loosely, it is used to refer to a growing

bundle of Operating Systems.bundle of Operating Systems.►Specifically, it is that one magical word Specifically, it is that one magical word

that gives a lot of big shot companies that gives a lot of big shot companies goose-bumps.goose-bumps.

►And, oh, I forgot …And, oh, I forgot …► It is a big piece of Open Source It is a big piece of Open Source

Software Software ► It is also Free Software (I’ll talk about It is also Free Software (I’ll talk about

what that means later on)what that means later on)►Well, there is a whole lot more to Linux Well, there is a whole lot more to Linux

than this, but let’s just stick to this for than this, but let’s just stick to this for now.now.

Brief (really brief) History of Brief (really brief) History of LinuxLinux

► Initially conceived and developed by Linus Initially conceived and developed by Linus Torvalds (It is pronounced Tour-wow-olds, if Torvalds (It is pronounced Tour-wow-olds, if that makes any sense)that makes any sense)

► Released to the Internet public by Linus Released to the Internet public by Linus under a Free Software licenseunder a Free Software license

► It just caught on from there like fire in a It just caught on from there like fire in a jungle. jungle.

► Countless people have contributed bits to Countless people have contributed bits to Linux, and many continue to do so.Linux, and many continue to do so.

► Under heavy active development still.Under heavy active development still.

Free and Open Source Free and Open Source SoftwareSoftware

►Free Software is free.Free Software is free.►Open Source Software is software Open Source Software is software

whose source code is open.whose source code is open.►Yea, I know, you already knew that.Yea, I know, you already knew that.►““Free” is a very complex word.Free” is a very complex word.► It can mean “Free as in Free Food”.It can mean “Free as in Free Food”.►And it can also mean a whole complex And it can also mean a whole complex

jumble of things that have a lot to do jumble of things that have a lot to do with the concept of “Freedom”.with the concept of “Freedom”.

► The concept of Freedom in the Software The concept of Freedom in the Software world is not different from that in the world world is not different from that in the world we live in.we live in.

► Take an example of a chair.Take an example of a chair.►When you buy it, you don’t only buy a chair; When you buy it, you don’t only buy a chair;

you buy a number of Freedoms.you buy a number of Freedoms.► Freedom to use it the way you like.Freedom to use it the way you like.► Freedom to sell it or give it away.Freedom to sell it or give it away.► Freedom to polish or decorate it differentlyFreedom to polish or decorate it differently► Freedom to hone your chain-saw or drilling Freedom to hone your chain-saw or drilling

skills on.skills on.► The person who sold you the chair does not, The person who sold you the chair does not,

cannot and should not tell you what you can cannot and should not tell you what you can and cannot do with that chair.and cannot do with that chair.

Free SoftwareFree Software

►… … is just that.is just that.►A piece of software that gives you the A piece of software that gives you the

following Freedoms is a Free Software:following Freedoms is a Free Software: Freedom to use the Software as you like;Freedom to use the Software as you like; Freedom to distribute the Software as Freedom to distribute the Software as

much as you like;much as you like; Freedom to change the Software to your Freedom to change the Software to your

tastes;tastes; Freedom to distribute your changes.Freedom to distribute your changes.

CopyrightCopyright

►Loosely speaking, “Copyright” is a way Loosely speaking, “Copyright” is a way legally to ensure that an author, creator legally to ensure that an author, creator exercise certain set of rights over the exercise certain set of rights over the piece they have written or created.piece they have written or created.

► In most countries, you automagically In most countries, you automagically get copyrights to anything you have get copyrights to anything you have made or put into a form.made or put into a form.

►You cannot copyright an idea – only a You cannot copyright an idea – only a particular implementation of that idea particular implementation of that idea into a form by you can be copyrighted into a form by you can be copyrighted under your name.under your name.

Software PatentsSoftware Patents

►Unlike Copyright, a patent does not apply Unlike Copyright, a patent does not apply to any implementation of an idea, or to any implementation of an idea, or anything that has a form (unless, I am anything that has a form (unless, I am overly mistaken over this).overly mistaken over this).

► Ideas, on the other hand, can be patented.Ideas, on the other hand, can be patented.► I conceive an idea. I produce something by I conceive an idea. I produce something by

incorporating that idea.incorporating that idea.► I get copyrights over that something.I get copyrights over that something.►And, I can, if I choose to, patent that And, I can, if I choose to, patent that ideaidea..

Why Software Patents are Why Software Patents are bad?bad?

►Oh, yes, they’re really bad. Oh, yes, they’re really bad. ► Let’s take an example of the idea of tabbed-Let’s take an example of the idea of tabbed-

window technology.window technology.► You wish to implement that in your application.You wish to implement that in your application.► You roll out your own custom implementation You roll out your own custom implementation

of tabbed-windowing.of tabbed-windowing.► I happen to be someone who actually thought I happen to be someone who actually thought

of that “tabbed-window” idea a long time back.of that “tabbed-window” idea a long time back.► I decide to play dirty.I decide to play dirty.

► I file a patent request at the patent I file a patent request at the patent office.office.

► If everything goes my way, I get that If everything goes my way, I get that idea patented under my name.idea patented under my name.

►All is well, though. So far, at least ;)All is well, though. So far, at least ;)►On one bad morning, I get up on the On one bad morning, I get up on the

wrong side of the bed and sue everyone wrong side of the bed and sue everyone who is using the tabbed-window who is using the tabbed-window technology for patent infringement.technology for patent infringement.

►You say, “What?”. Right? Thought so.You say, “What?”. Right? Thought so.

► Yes!Yes!► I sue you. I sue Firefox. I sue Microsoft. I sue I sue you. I sue Firefox. I sue Microsoft. I sue

each and everyone using any software that has each and everyone using any software that has a tabbed-window feature.a tabbed-window feature.

► How can I do that? That’s because I own the How can I do that? That’s because I own the patent to that idea. patent to that idea.

► What can be done? Either you give up all that What can be done? Either you give up all that software, pay me a large settlement, or pay me software, pay me a large settlement, or pay me on a periodic basis a royalty fee for using an on a periodic basis a royalty fee for using an implementation of my patented idea implementation of my patented idea (technology).(technology).

► See how bad software patents are?See how bad software patents are?► If that doesn’t sound so bad, let me make If that doesn’t sound so bad, let me make

your day worse.your day worse.►When you write a piece of software, you use When you write a piece of software, you use

hundreds if not thousands of ideas.hundreds if not thousands of ideas.► Ideas thought up by others.Ideas thought up by others.► Ideas, probably, Ideas, probably, patentedpatented by others. by others.► Am I getting my point across? ;-)Am I getting my point across? ;-)►No? Well, then, wait till those “others” wake No? Well, then, wait till those “others” wake

up on the wrong side of the bed one bad up on the wrong side of the bed one bad morning, and you’ll know. :-Pmorning, and you’ll know. :-P

CopyleftCopyleft

►A play on the word “Copyright”.A play on the word “Copyright”.► It is pretty much like “Copyright”. The It is pretty much like “Copyright”. The

only thing different is that it lets the only thing different is that it lets the author or creator of a work give up author or creator of a work give up some of their rights to others on the some of their rights to others on the basis and provided that those others basis and provided that those others promise to give up the same set of promise to give up the same set of rights to still others to whom the work rights to still others to whom the work is distributed.is distributed.

►Confusing. Confusing.

General Public License (GPL)General Public License (GPL)

►You will hear this phrase a lot.You will hear this phrase a lot.►GPL is one of the many “free software GPL is one of the many “free software

licenses” available.licenses” available.►When you produce a work, you get the When you produce a work, you get the

copyrights or copylefts to it.copyrights or copylefts to it.►When you want to distribute the work, When you want to distribute the work,

you attach a license to it.you attach a license to it.►GPL works with copyleft.GPL works with copyleft.

►GPL ensures Freedom by allowing the copyright GPL ensures Freedom by allowing the copyright holder of a work to give up the following rights:holder of a work to give up the following rights: Right to use his work in any way, for any purpose;Right to use his work in any way, for any purpose; Right to distribute his work;Right to distribute his work; Right to make changes to his work;Right to make changes to his work; Right to release and distribute changesRight to release and distribute changes

►… … providedprovided a copyright notice is left behind in a copyright notice is left behind in all copies and modification distributed, and all copies and modification distributed, and provided that the same set of rights are given provided that the same set of rights are given to others.to others.

► If you look at it, GPL simply ensures that a If you look at it, GPL simply ensures that a piece of your work that you wish to release as piece of your work that you wish to release as Free Software (Free as in Freedom) stays Free Free Software (Free as in Freedom) stays Free Software for everyone, and that no-one takes Software for everyone, and that no-one takes the rights you have over it away from you.the rights you have over it away from you.

►That is just a very brief overview of That is just a very brief overview of what GPL is, and what it does.what GPL is, and what it does.

►GPL.org has excellent articles for those GPL.org has excellent articles for those of you who would like to pursue GPL of you who would like to pursue GPL further.further.

► In a nutshell, GPL is a free software In a nutshell, GPL is a free software license. There are other free licenses license. There are other free licenses like MIT’s license, BSD license, Creative like MIT’s license, BSD license, Creative Commons license, etc.Commons license, etc.

Does GPL protect against Does GPL protect against Software Patents?Software Patents?

►Not really.Not really.► It can’t, actually.It can’t, actually.► It is just a free license that applies to It is just a free license that applies to

and on works.and on works.►Patents need to be combated at a Patents need to be combated at a

different level.different level.►However, the recent version of GPL, However, the recent version of GPL,

GPLv3, has a clause that protects a little GPLv3, has a clause that protects a little bit of the evil software patents cause.bit of the evil software patents cause.

► It protects things like the Microsoft-Novel It protects things like the Microsoft-Novel deal from happening.deal from happening.

► The Microsoft-Novel deal? Oh, yeah!The Microsoft-Novel deal? Oh, yeah!►GPL has a clause specifically to thwart such GPL has a clause specifically to thwart such

deals. deals. ►Older versions of GPL restrict distribution of Older versions of GPL restrict distribution of

software that have patent licensing issues.software that have patent licensing issues.►With free software, you have the right to With free software, you have the right to

remove features in the software that require remove features in the software that require patent licensing.patent licensing.

► But this isn’t really a good protection But this isn’t really a good protection against software patents.against software patents.

OK, back to LinuxOK, back to Linux

► I think that was enough legal stuff for I think that was enough legal stuff for one day. one day.

►Let’s go back to Linux.Let’s go back to Linux.►And let’s talk about Software And let’s talk about Software

Development on Linux.Development on Linux.► I am going to cover this briefly.I am going to cover this briefly.

Why would you want to develop Why would you want to develop on Linux?on Linux?

► That is always a difficult question to answer.That is always a difficult question to answer.►Not because it is a difficult question, but Not because it is a difficult question, but

because it can have many answers for many because it can have many answers for many different people in many different situations.different people in many different situations.

► For me, I value the following things:For me, I value the following things: ChoiceChoice AlternativesAlternatives PowerPower FlexibilityFlexibility And the fact that you are not using any pirated And the fact that you are not using any pirated

software. software.

Some Compelling ReasonsSome Compelling Reasons► You don’t have to use pirated software.You don’t have to use pirated software.► Your Linux system of choice comes bundled with Your Linux system of choice comes bundled with

a wide array of software development tools.a wide array of software development tools.► There are just too many tools you can choose There are just too many tools you can choose

from.from.► A thriving, growing support community.A thriving, growing support community.► The flexibility to tweak different applications and The flexibility to tweak different applications and

the Operating System to behave in a manner the Operating System to behave in a manner appropriate for your software.appropriate for your software.

►Generally, you end up with a lot more thorough Generally, you end up with a lot more thorough understanding of the system and applications understanding of the system and applications than you would developing on any other than you would developing on any other platform.platform.

A few languages I write software A few languages I write software in on Linux.in on Linux.

► I am only going to talk about languages I am only going to talk about languages I have written code in.I have written code in.

►That does not mean that the choice of That does not mean that the choice of languages available to people languages available to people developing on Linux is limited.developing on Linux is limited.

►Like I said, one of the great things Like I said, one of the great things about Free Software, in particular, and about Free Software, in particular, and Linux, in general, is the choice you get Linux, in general, is the choice you get to have.to have.

C and C++C and C++

► I am not sure how many of you still write I am not sure how many of you still write code in C or C++.code in C or C++.

► Linux comes bundled with one of the best Linux comes bundled with one of the best C/C++ compiler collections.C/C++ compiler collections.

► The GNU GCC collectionThe GNU GCC collection► The GNU GDB debuggerThe GNU GDB debugger► The KDevelop C/C++ IDEThe KDevelop C/C++ IDE► The wonderful Eclipse IDE with CDT plugin.The wonderful Eclipse IDE with CDT plugin.► An extensive man page documentation of An extensive man page documentation of

the C and C++ library.the C and C++ library.► Anjuta DevStudio and IDEAnjuta DevStudio and IDE

PerlPerl

► It is a very old, very rich and powerful It is a very old, very rich and powerful interpreted language.interpreted language.

►Linux comes with a complete Perl Linux comes with a complete Perl package that contains:package that contains: The Perl InterpreterThe Perl Interpreter The Perl documentation packageThe Perl documentation package The Perl documentation frameworkThe Perl documentation framework A rich set of Perl modules (library set).A rich set of Perl modules (library set).

► IDEs available are: KDevelop, Komodo, IDEs available are: KDevelop, Komodo, etcetc

PythonPython

► A powerful, pure object-oriented interpreted A powerful, pure object-oriented interpreted language with a runtime environment.language with a runtime environment.

► Linux systems comes with a large package Linux systems comes with a large package of Python utilities including:of Python utilities including: The Python interpreterThe Python interpreter The Python standard module setThe Python standard module set Unittesting FrameworkUnittesting Framework Python doc generation framework.Python doc generation framework. EtcEtc

► IDEs: Eclipse with Pydev Plugin; KDevelop; IDEs: Eclipse with Pydev Plugin; KDevelop; Komodo; Python ILE; etcKomodo; Python ILE; etc

PHPPHP

► Linux is next to ideal for PHP development.Linux is next to ideal for PHP development.► The biggest advantage you can have while The biggest advantage you can have while

developing PHP applications on a Linux box developing PHP applications on a Linux box is that not only will you have PHP tools is that not only will you have PHP tools already available on the box, you will also already available on the box, you will also have MySQL and Apache right there for you.have MySQL and Apache right there for you.

►Mod_php works with Apache to serve PHP Mod_php works with Apache to serve PHP files over it.files over it.

► Countless PHP Editors and IDEs like Komodo, Countless PHP Editors and IDEs like Komodo, KDevelop, etc are available.KDevelop, etc are available.

MonoMono

►► I was specifically requested to talk I was specifically requested to talk

about this.about this.►But, my fellow speaker Talha is going But, my fellow speaker Talha is going

to give Mono a fair treatment.to give Mono a fair treatment.► I really don’t know C#. I really don’t know C#.

User Interface ToolkitsUser Interface Toolkits

►Development on Linux isn’t without its share of Development on Linux isn’t without its share of User Interface toolkits (widgets).User Interface toolkits (widgets).

► At the lowest possible level, we have the Xlib.At the lowest possible level, we have the Xlib.► All other toolkits are wrappers around Xlib.All other toolkits are wrappers around Xlib.► The Qt toolkit from TrollTechThe Qt toolkit from TrollTech► The GTK+ toolkit from GNOMEThe GTK+ toolkit from GNOME► The wxWidgets toolkit (wxWindows)The wxWidgets toolkit (wxWindows)► The TK widget.The TK widget.► I think that’s enough UI kits to choose from. ;)I think that’s enough UI kits to choose from. ;)

User Interface DesignerUser Interface Designer

►There are many.There are many.►Some of which I have worked with are:Some of which I have worked with are:

Qt DesignerQt Designer Glade User Interface DesignerGlade User Interface Designer KDevelop UI DesignerKDevelop UI Designer

Databases and WebserversDatabases and Webservers

►Most of the Linux distributions come Most of the Linux distributions come with the following preinstalled:with the following preinstalled: MySQL database serverMySQL database server Apache WebserverApache Webserver

►These two are the de facto on Linux.These two are the de facto on Linux.►But they aren’t the only ones.But they aren’t the only ones.►PostGreSQL, SQLlite, lighthttpd, etc, are PostGreSQL, SQLlite, lighthttpd, etc, are

different alternatives you have different alternatives you have available.available.

All in all …All in all …►You get to choose from a vast collection of You get to choose from a vast collection of

tools.tools.► If you make an application using free If you make an application using free

software tools, you don’t necessarily have software tools, you don’t necessarily have to make your application free (unless it to make your application free (unless it uses parts of code from those free uses parts of code from those free softwares)softwares)

►And again, you absolutely have to start And again, you absolutely have to start using the thing things yourself to realise using the thing things yourself to realise the power, flexibility and freedom a Linux the power, flexibility and freedom a Linux system with its set of tools has to offer.system with its set of tools has to offer.

I think that should be enough I think that should be enough for today.for today.

Questions?Questions?