Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani
Work Integrated Learning Programmes Division
First / Second Semester 2023-2024
Mid-Semester Test
(EC-2 MakeUp)
Course No. : SESAPZG587
Course Title : Open Source Software Engineering
Nature of Exam : Closed Book
Weightage : 30% No. of Pages = 3
Duration : 1.5 Hours No. of Questions = 6
Date of Exam : 25/10/2023 (FN)
Note to Students:
1. Please follow all the Instructions to Candidates given on the cover page of the answer book.
2. All parts of a question should be answered consecutively. Each answer should start from a fresh page.
3. Assumptions made if any, should be stated clearly at the beginning of your answer.
4. Answers should be to the point. Do not include unnecessary explanations.
Q.1. Answer the below in one or two sentences.
Characteristics Options
Releasing the software under two different
Primary characteristic of OSS licenses
Not an advantage of OSS Preservation of software freedom
Main difference between Free Software and Licensing models
OSS
Principle of the Copyleft licensing model in Vendor lock-in
OSS
The source code is open for inspection and
Involvement of Dual Licensing in OSS modification
Development process
Creating two separate software development
teams
[5M]
Q.2. Answer the below questions in two to three sentences each.
a> What is the role of the Creative Commons licensing model in Open-Source
Software, and how does it differ from traditional copyright?
b> Discuss the importance of choosing the right Open-Source License when
releasing software to the community.
c> Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of using Open-Source
Software in an enterprise environment.
[6 M]
Q.3.
You are an IT manager in a small company considering the adoption of Open-
Source Software. Outline a plan for evaluating the suitability of Open-Source
Software for your organization, including key considerations and steps. [4M]
Q.4. You are a software developer contributing to an Open-Source project. One of
the project's core contributors has left, and the project is struggling. What
actions can you take to help revitalize the project and encourage more
contributions? Note: Write the main steps/actions you will be taking. Around 5-
6 main points/steps are enough. [5M]
Q.5. You are a computer science student working on a unique software project.
You've invested time and effort into developing a useful application, and you
now want to share it with the broader community. However, you're facing a
crucial decision: selecting the appropriate open-source license for your project.
Your project is a mobile app designed to help people organize and manage
their personal finances. It offers features for budgeting, expense tracking, and
generating financial reports. You're confident that your app can benefit others,
and you're excited about the idea of contributing to the open-source
community.
Here are some factors and considerations that you need to weigh when
deciding on the most suitable open-source license:
Licensing Goals: First, consider your goals for releasing your project as open
source. Are you primarily interested in fostering a community of contributors,
or do you want to ensure that your project remains free for everyone to use,
even if it's incorporated into commercial products?
Community Collaboration: If you're interested in having a thriving
community around your project, you might prefer a license that encourages
contributions and collaboration. Some licenses, like the GNU General Public
License (GPL), are known for their strong copyleft provisions.
Commercial Use: Consider whether you are comfortable with your project
being used in commercial applications. If you want to allow this, you might opt
for a more permissive license like the MIT License or the Apache License.
Derivative Works: Think about how you want your code to be used in
derivative works. Do you want to require that any modifications to your code
are shared under the same terms (copyleft), or are you more permissive about
how others can use your code in their projects?
Compatibility: Check whether your chosen license is compatible with other
open-source licenses. Some licenses are not compatible with one another,
which can limit how your code is used in combination with other projects.
Given these considerations, your task is to thoroughly evaluate the options and
decide on the open-source license that aligns with your project's goals and your
personal preferences. Additionally, you should document your decision and the
reasons behind it. [5M]
Q.6.
"Open-source software projects often rely on various business models to sustain
development and growth. Explore the concept of 'Dual Licensing' and 'Open
Core' as open-source business models, and explain how they enable companies
to monetize open source software. Provide real-world examples to illustrate
your points and emphasize the importance of balancing profitability with
community contributions." [5 M]
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