FLOSS
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Software
| Stands for | Free/libre and open-source software |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
FLOSS stands for Free/libre and open-source software, a software abbreviation.
Equivalent of FOSS that adds the word "libre" to make clear that "free" means liberty rather than zero cost. The term is common in European, academic and public-policy writing.
Example: The conference track covers FLOSS projects maintained by public institutions and universities.
Usage notes
Rishab Aiyer Ghosh coined FLOSS in 2001 for a research project funded by the European Commission. "Libre" comes from Spanish and French, languages that distinguish free as in freedom (libre) from free as in price (gratis). Richard Stallman has accepted FLOSS as a neutral term, although he prefers "free software".
Related abbreviations
More software abbreviations
- DRM – Digital rights management
- EE – Enterprise Edition
- EOL – End of life
- ESR – Extended Support Release
- ESU – Extended Security Updates
- EULA – End-user license agreement
- FOSS – Free and open-source software
- FSF – Free Software Foundation
- FW – Firmware
- GA – General availability
- GIMP – GNU Image Manipulation Program
- GM – Golden master