Re:Why the Wolfram Language Is (Like) Open Source
by hdjjhhvvhga on Wednesday December 01, 2021 @02:25PM
(#29408023)
> IBM still develops Db2, y'know.
Because this development is sponsored by old customers; I haven't heard about anyone choosing DB2 for a new project.
Re:Why the Wolfram Language Is (Like) Open Source
by yjftsjthsd-h on Wednesday December 01, 2021 @02:28PM
(#29408061)
Sure? Is Wolfram going to be developed if there's no money in it? (I mean, maybe, purely as a point of pride for Wolfram the man, but I certainly wouldn't depend on it)
> You can use it for free
...Within certain restrictions. Also, lots of proprietary stuff is available for free or close enough.
> You can view the source code
There's actually sort of fair, although it only extends to the functions in the language; "Older or core functions written in C are not viewable this way", and I doubt this extends to the underlying engine.
> You can modify it
Again, provided you stay in the "userspace" parts and don't want to share your changes.
> You can contribute
... stuff that you built in Wolfram, but "we don’t really believe in user contributions to the core language".
> There is a supportive (and supported) community
https://community.oracle.com/hub/
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/home
Forgive me if I fail to be impressed.
> There is active development
Until there isn't, at which point the single point of failure suddenly does matter. Also, not much of a standard; IBM still develops Db2, y'know.