Open-source software has become increasingly popular over the past few years, and one of the best-known licenses for this type of software is the GPL license. What is GPL in depth? What does it provide to users and developers? In this post, we’ll provide a brief overview of everything you need to know about the GPL license.
What is GPL?
GPL license or General Public License is a free software license developed by the Free Software Foundation (FSF) To promote the principles of free and open-source software. It is one of the most widely used open-source licenses designed to protect users’ rights to access, modify, and redistribute the software.
Overview of the GPL License
Any program released under the GPL license must also be further distributed under the same license. This means that the source code must be provided to anyone who receives the software. As a result, the software is kept free and accessible to all, and users are given the freedom to use, modify, and redistribute it as they see fit.
Permissions granted by GPL to its users
The GPL license grants users a number of permissions, including:
- the right to use the software for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial
- the right to modify the software and distribute modified versions, as long as the modifications are also released under the GPL license
- The right to distribute the software in its original form or as a modified version, as long as the recipient receives the software under the terms of the GPL license
- Right to access and modify the source code of the software
- the right to redistribute the software and its source code
The permissions may differ according to the two types of GPL, which we will discuss later.
How is the GPL related to WordPress
WordPress, the popular content management system used by millions of websites, uses the GPL license. This means that any plugins and themes created for WordPress must be released under the same GPL license.
The GPL license provides a legal framework for the distribution and use of copyrighted software for code collaboration and sharing throughout the WordPress community.
Developers can freely exchange their code and build on each other’s work, resulting in a platform that is constantly evolving and improving.
This has helped make WordPress one of the world’s most successful content management systems, allowing businesses to easily navigate their websites.
Difference between GPLv2 and GPLv3
There are two versions of the GPL license, version 2 (GPLv2) and version 3 (GPLv3). The two differ in terms of their provisions and requirements.
- GPLv2 requires that the source code be made available only to those who obtain the software,
- Whereas GPLv3 requires that the source code be made available to anyone who interacts with the software over a network.
This means that under GPLv3, companies providing software services must provide access to the source code of the software.
Additionally, GPLv3 addresses software distribution over networks, which has become more common with the rise of cloud computing.
Conclusion: What is GPL?
Now that you know what GPL is, it will be easier for you to manage your websites. The GPL license develops open-source software for both WordPress and general users, shaping the future of the software industry.
