Software licensing types – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B, C and E clarify major software licensing categories. Open-source offers access to source code, freeware is free to use but usually closed source, shareware involves trial with potential payment and “free” in free software is about freedoms rather than price. Statement D is false because proprietary licences typically restrict modification and redistribution, and F is false because no software model guarantees perfect security. Therefore A, B, C and E only are correct.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it includes all true statements while excluding misleading views about proprietary rights and absolute security. It accurately differentiates licensing models in a way that is relevant for ICT users in education.

Option B:
Option B is incomplete because it omits E and hence does not differentiate between “free” as in price and “free” as in freedom. Although A, B and C are correct, they do not fully explain the philosophy of free software.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes F, which overstates the security of open-source software. Even well-audited code can have bugs, so adding F makes the whole combination wrong.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it leaves out A and includes only B, C and E. Excluding A omits the central definition of open-source, and the set fails to contain all correct statements.