Blog

Software licenses: What do they mean

There are both completely free and partially free programs. Partially free programs can usually be installed and run without entering a serial key, but after some time of use (usually a month or less), the program will require activation, that is, entering the serial key. For the proposed period, the user can evaluate the program, its functionality and capabilities, and then decide whether to purchase such a program or not. You can also find partially free programs in which some key components are not available. After entering the serial key, these components are unlocked.

Among the currently existing software licenses are the following.

• Free is a free program. It does not require activation and entering a serial number.
• Adware is a free program that installs additional modules during installation on a user’s computer. Most often this is adware, which the author uses for his extra income without the consent of the user.
• Shareware is a freeware program. It may have limitations in functionality and a limited life without activation.
• Trial is a program that usually has no limitations in functionality, but has a limited life.
• Demo – a demo version of the program.

There are also so-called free software licenses (for example, GPL). GPL stands for General Public License. Its main principle is the distribution of software with open-source software for all, which allows you to modify and supplement the program.

When writing software code, the developer must decide whether the terms of the GPL are applicable to his invention or if he wants to follow the traditional copyright rules.

If the user has a desire to write his own program, then programming languages ​​will help him in this, of which there are very many today. For example, programming languages, C ++, Java, C #, PHP, Delphi are very popular, and their functionality is wide. We will talk about these environments in subsequent lessons.