Answer to Question #19293 in AJAX | JavaScript | HTML | PHP for Hari sharma

Question

Does free software mean a free of cost?

Answer 1

Free software, software libre or libre software is software that ensures that the end users have freedom in using, studying, sharing and modifying that software.
The focus of free software is the freedom of the end user (to share, copy, modify) and thus in direct contrast to the restrictions of proprietary software where developers seek to divide, control and monopolize the end user market (through restrictive licences, non-disclosure agreements, dongles, etc.).
Free software can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients have the same rights under which it was obtained and that manufacturers of consumer products incorporating free software provide the software as source code. The word free in the term free software refers to freedom (liberty) and is not at all related to monetary cost. The Free Software Foundation advises people to "avoid using terms like 'give away' or 'for free,' because those terms imply that the issue is about price, not freedom." Free software is generally available without charge but is not bound to such a restriction.