Almost all software developers believe open source is the future of programming and expect it to be a part of their organizations in years to come, according to a new report from software company Aiven.
The report, which is based on a poll of 200 UK developers working in large enterprises and specializing in cloud and database technology, states there are “twice as many” benefits of open source than there are disadvantages, with code transparency being the biggest one.
Transparent code, the report suggests, makes it easier to find and fix bugs quickly. Other notable benefits included reduced vendor lock-in, as well as the ability to build unique features.
But open source has its disadvantages as well, with maintenance being the most significant. Difficulties configuring or installing software, lack of support and hidden costs were also mentioned as thorns in the side of developers’.
One of the possible solutions to these issues is opting for managed open source, which can help businesses avoid maintenance issues and free up more time for business-critical tasks, the report concluded.
“[Open-source] provides businesses with the flexibility for growth, without having to worry about vendor lock-in and other challenges that come with using proprietary software,” said Heikki Nousiainen, CTO & co-founder at Aiven.
“However, open-source software does not come without its own challenges and it is crucial that businesses looking to adopt open source have the necessary support to overcome any hurdles associated with installation and maintenance, whether that be built in-house or provided by a third-party.”
