PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE Meaning and
Definition
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Proprietary software refers to computer software that is owned and maintained by a specific company or individual. It is typically protected by copyright and its source code is restricted from being freely accessed, modified, or distributed by users. The ownership and control of proprietary software usually rests with a single entity, which holds exclusive rights to its distribution, sale, and usage.
Unlike open-source software, which is developed and made available collaboratively by a community of users and developers, proprietary software is developed and controlled solely by the owning company. The company is responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining the software, and it may charge a fee for its use or sell licenses to users.
The source code of proprietary software is often kept secret and not disclosed to the public. This lack of transparency means that users cannot modify or customize the software to meet their specific needs without seeking permission from the owning company. Updates and bug fixes are typically provided by the company through patches or new versions of the software.
Common examples of proprietary software include commercial operating systems like Microsoft Windows, productivity suites like Microsoft Office, and many proprietary applications developed by companies for specific purposes.
Overall, proprietary software represents software that is privately owned, controlled, and distributed for a profit by a single company, with limited user access and modification capabilities.
Etymology of PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
The word "proprietary" traces its origins to the Latin term "proprius", which means "own" or "one's own". In English, it is used to indicate something that is privately owned or exclusively controlled by an individual or organization.
The term "proprietary software" was coined to describe software that is privately owned and controlled, often by a specific company or individual. This type of software is typically licensed for use and prohibits users from accessing or modifying the source code. The term gained popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s with the rise of personal computers and the growing software industry.
