Open Source Software: A Cornerstone of Scientific Research

This article explores the crucial role of open-source software in scientific research. The author argues that the freedom and reproducibility inherent in open-source software are essential for scientific progress, effectively addressing challenges in data processing, simulation, document preparation, and preservation. In contrast, proprietary software presents numerous risks, including restrictive licensing, software rot, and the inability to reproduce results. The article concludes by recommending several commonly used open-source software packages, such as GCC, GFortran, Julia, Typst, and Pandoc, and emphasizes the significant contribution of open-source software to scientific advancement.