Proprietary is ... Proprietary software

Many of us have heard of a term such as "proprietary". They could be called anything. Equipment, drivers, programs. What kind of term is this, and what does it mean? In general, this word came to us from the English language. In general, "proprietary" is a product that has a license. And the meaning of this term will be discussed in more detail below.

The term "proprietary". Value

The word "proprietary" comes from the English word proprietary, which means "personal" or "patented". This term is used to refer to something "not free". Be it software or hardware. This means that the software, for example, has a license. Naturally, for using licensed software, you will have to pay money. And in some cases - a lot of money.

In the case of equipment, the meaning of the word "proprietary" changes somewhat. This term usually denotes some unique pieces of equipment that characterize a certain manufacturer. For example, Apple smartphones have unique and patented connectors for charging the device.

Proprietary software (SOFTWARE)

Proprietary software includes both drivers for some devices, and software products. In the case of drivers, everything is clear - the device manufacturer maintains the functionality of all device functions by means of closed source software. In principle, this is correct. It is not known what troubles our crooks could do in the computer hardware and programs, if the developers opened the source code. In addition, software for equipment is usually free. It is worth to buy the same video card, and technical support in the form of drivers will be available continuously as long as its relevance remains.

With proprietary software is not so simple. A bright representative of companies that use proprietary licenses, is Adobe with its "eternal" Photoshop. For the use of products, Adobe will have to pay serious money. And Microsoft is not far away. For the use of proprietary OS Windows 10, for example, each year will have to pay a large sum. Now this is a common practice among large software producers.

Pros and cons of proprietary software

To better understand the proprietary software, you need to compare its pros and cons. So, to the pluses you can include such moments:

• Continuous technical support of the product.
• More stable work than free software.
• Guaranteed absence of malicious objects (viruses).
• Automatic software updates.
• Qualitative use of all equipment possibilities.

All this was a plus of proprietary software. Now we turn to the minuses:

• The high amount of payment for a license.
• Proprietary protocols of device operation.
• Dependence on the developer.
• Unable to change the source code.
• Restriction on software distribution.
• Restriction on software modification.

As we see, the biggest disadvantage is paying for a license for using such software. The remaining minuses are insignificant for the average user. For such users, "proprietary" is the best choice. Unless, of course, money is not a pity.

Proprietary drivers

Proprietary devices are also device drivers. In this case, "proprietary" means that they are supplied from the manufacturer with a closed source code. The introduction of any changes in their structure is impossible. Typically, such drivers are relevant in operating systems that use open source software. Especially this sin free "linux-like" systems. They usually use proprietary drivers. Ubuntu, for example, often uses both free and "closed".

Such drivers under Ubuntu are more stable than free ones. Which is not surprising, because in their source code no one was "picking". But, unlike free drivers, users of "closed" software have to wait a long time for a fresh updated version. Here you have to choose: novelty or stability.

Proprietary equipment

In the case of equipment, the proprietary one is unparalleled. Usually such a word designate some "chip" of the manufacturer. For example, a unique connector. In addition to the special form, such connectors also support certain protocols, for example, data transmission or power management.

Proprietary connectors for their devices "sin" company Apple. They have everything in a row patented and "closed". If you decide to connect, for example, to the iPhone an unlicensed charger - your device may even burn. Such equipment is usually made only with the goal of ridding users of more money. Obvious advantages in using proprietary connectors are not observed. The speed of data transfer or the charging speed of the device does not affect this in any way.

Conclusion

Now we can quite understand what is called the intelligent word "proprietary". This is a product that has a license and a specific owner. Use of such a product without payment is impossible. In addition, such products (software and drivers) have a closed source code, and it will not be possible to make any changes to their structure by any means.

Our small educational program is over. Now you can safely choose between closed and free software, knowing all its pluses and minuses. The meaning of the word "proprietary" is now known to us.