Os

technically what is sourcecode?

 

source code is programming language written to 'make' a program or operating system, and tell it what to do. this source code sends and interprets binary language (0's and 1's... 0011001001) which is how the processor works.

it can be written in a number of languages (C, C++, HTML, PHP, JAVA, Fortran, MATLAB, SQL,... and on and on).

once the source code is written, a Complier is used to "build" the program.

most programs you see have hidden source codes so people cannot steal the programmer's design or use it to create malicious programs that exploit errors in the code.

Microsoft Windows is an example of a closed source Operating system.

it is a relatively new and growing trend to have "Open Source" programs and operating systems, like Linux and FreeBSD. The benefit of an open source is that instead of a select few programmers building something, its available to ANYONE who wishes to see how it works and improve/tweak it however they please.

for more info, and some examples of source code, you can visit http://sourceforge.net/ among many other sites.

 

thanks for the reply.but since linux sourcecode is open to everyone wouldn't it allows others to use it to create malicious programs that exploit errors in the code?

 

yes...except the Linux Kernel (the core of any operating system is called the kernel--to my knowledge) is constantly improved and worked on, so MUCH fewer vulnerabilities are there to begin with.

also, in Linux, security is much tighter than with Windows, so its much harder for malware to 'start' itself unless a user helps it along.

viruses, worms, and trojans also have noticeable code, so a good antivirus will catch on ver quickly to such action in a linux environment (mainly because there are far fewer viruses out there--due to the fact that most users are in a Windows environment, so virus writers choose windows for thier virus.)

 

There have been about 3 viruses in the last 5 years that actually do ANYTHING in a linux environment. Thats including a virus email that told the user to delete all their files

There is a bit of a paradox with open and closed source software. Closed source software means that people can't see the code, so they can't exploit it. Open source software means that everyone sees the code, so there is nothing to exploit (so many people have checked it that there is very little left).
However, people DO exploit things. People can "get r00t" on linux/FreeBSD boxes, though a number of exploits in the linux kernel (which have been well patched, by the way).

Obviously, its all down to the user and how secure they make the box in the first place.