What are open source protocols and how do they work?
Understanding of open source protocols
Open source protocols have become mainstays in the technology world and are gaining ground due to the myriad of advantages they offer over their proprietary counterparts.
The protocols are designed for public use, allowing anyone to explore, modify and share them. The benefits of open source protocols are manifold, from their inherent openness to their wide availability.
Additionally, they rely on peer reviews, a cost-effective and inclusive model that differentiates them from their proprietary counterparts. Popular examples of open source software include widely used operating systems such as Linux and Android, and the popular Firefox web browser.
When it comes to open source cryptographic protocols, the Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano and Polkadot networks among others stand out as blockchain protocol templates.
Open source with proprietary protocols
Open source and proprietary protocols represent two different approaches to protocol development, each with its own principles regarding protocol implementation.
The following is a breakdown of their key differences.
What is the development process of open source protocols?
The development of open source protocols involves several different phases, each related to protocol evolution. It all starts at the concept stage, where developers lay the groundwork that defines the protocol's standards and purpose.
Usually, the basic concept is based on the protocol with some modifications. The concept phase acts as a bedrock, on which developers carefully outline the architecture and its features, establishing a solid theoretical foundation. In this phase, developers create a well-defined roadmap, similar to a strategic plan, that guides the direction of the project.
The next stage in the development process is usually the prototype stage. At this stage, developers create a functional model of the protocol that includes the main features. An example is usually made available to the public as a beta version.
Releasing a beta version subjects the software to real-world scenarios and user interactions, allowing developers to understand its strengths and weaknesses. The platform allows developers to get feedback from the open source community regarding new features that could be included before the final protocol is released. So the phase is properly called beta testing or User Acceptance Testing (UAT) phase.
Continuous feedback and updating ensures that the protocol remains responsive to the evolving needs and expectations of the user base. After the implementation of relevant protocol improvements to address several known stability and reliability issues, the protocol has reached a level of stability that warrants a “stable release” designation. A stable release is usually as reliable as developers can make it.
However, the process does not end with stable releases. Open source projects require ongoing protocol maintenance. The process usually involves releasing bug fixes, such as security fixes, and updating the code for improved compatibility.
Are open source protocols copyrighted?
When a developer publishes their code as open source, they are sharing it with the public, allowing others to use, modify, and distribute it. However, making the code public does not translate into unrestricted use.
Copyright laws apply here as they do for proprietary software. The rules automatically reserve any original creative work, including open source protocols, exclusive rights to the software creator to control their use and distribution.
When licensing to an open source protocol, the developer typically licenses it with it, which serves as a set of guidelines that clearly define what is allowed and what is prohibited with the code.
Open source licenses often grant broad permissions to users without requiring express permission from the original author. That said, there are two main types of open source licenses: permissive and copyleft.
A permissive license, sometimes called a BSD-style or Apache-style license, imposes minimal requirements on how the software can be modified or distributed. However, projects using this type of license are required to include a warranty disclaimer. A well-known example of a license is the MIT license. The license allows anyone to use, modify, and distribute the code without prior permission.
Projects using MIT-licensed code must include the original copyright notice and a disclaimer that clearly states that the software comes without warranty. The disclaimer explains that the copyright owners assume no responsibility for any claims or liabilities arising from the use of the software.
The license is highly permissive and is designed to give developers a high degree of freedom, even allowing the code to be incorporated and distributed in commercial products.
Regarding copyright licenses, projects that use them should also post a disclaimer. In particular, modified versions of the protocol come with additional restrictions regarding transmission. For example, CopyList's GNU General Public License (GPL), a widely used open source license, guarantees that software will remain open and free. Like the MIT License, the GPL prescribes a disclaimer of warranty.
Copyleft licenses guarantee that you can use, modify, and share open source protocols or software without restriction. However, any modified work must adhere to the same terms, which will preserve the openness of the protocol in all future versions.
When it comes to proprietary protocols, the landscape changes dramatically. The protocols impose strict restrictions on their protocol documentation, often including restrictions on modifying or reversing the code.
To maintain protocol security, proprietary projects include confidentiality clauses in their licenses, prohibiting users from disclosing the workings of their protocols or any proprietary information they may discover.
A permissive and copyright license allows users to use and distribute the software free of charge. In contrast, proprietary licenses often require users to pay a fee for access and use of the software.
The future of open source protocols
As the world becomes increasingly digital and interconnected, open source protocols are poised to play a key role in enabling innovation, especially in supporting interoperability between different systems, applications and devices.
The shift is driven by the widespread and simultaneous use of protocols developed by different developers every day. As a result, open source protocols, especially those that allow changes by third parties and support interoperable systems, occupy a central position in the new technological frontier.
Keeping up with current trends, open source projects are also focusing on sustainability, energy efficiency and problem solving, and are aligning with the global push for eco-friendly technology solutions.
In addition, open source network protocol initiatives are expected to continue to advance peer-to-peer (P2P) Internet protocols. The protocols facilitate direct communication between systems, eliminating the need for centralized intermediary systems. P2P protocols boast a wide range of applications, particularly in enabling P2P transactions and communications through decentralized protocols.
