Beerware
Encyclopedia
Beerware is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek
term for software released under a very relaxed license. It provides the end user with the right to use a particular program
(or do anything else with the source code
).
'in return' (or, in some variations, drink a beer in the author's honor).
on April 25, 1987, and the first software distributed using the Beerware licensing model was uploaded to a number of BBS
s in 1987 and 1988. Many variations on the beerware model have been created since that time.
's beerware license is simple and short, in contrast to the GPL
which he has described as a "joke". The full text of Kamp's license is:
/*
* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* "THE BEER-WARE LICENSE" (Revision 42):
* wrote this file. As long as you retain this notice you
* can do whatever you want with this stuff. If we meet some day, and you think
* this stuff is worth it, you can buy me a beer in return Poul-Henning Kamp
* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*/
Tongue-in-cheek
Tongue-in-cheek is a phrase used as a figure of speech to imply that a statement or other production is humorously intended and it should not be taken at face value. The facial expression typically indicates that one is joking or making a mental effort. In the past, it may also have indicated...
term for software released under a very relaxed license. It provides the end user with the right to use a particular program
Computer program
A computer program is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specified task with a computer. A computer requires programs to function, typically executing the program's instructions in a central processor. The program has an executable form that the computer can use directly to execute...
(or do anything else with the source code
Source code
In computer science, source code is text written using the format and syntax of the programming language that it is being written in. Such a language is specially designed to facilitate the work of computer programmers, who specify the actions to be performed by a computer mostly by writing source...
).
Description
Should the user of the product meet the author and consider the software useful, he is encouraged to buy the author a beerBeer
Beer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...
'in return' (or, in some variations, drink a beer in the author's honor).
History
The term was invented by John Bristor in Pensacola, FloridaPensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
on April 25, 1987, and the first software distributed using the Beerware licensing model was uploaded to a number of BBS
Bulletin board system
A Bulletin Board System, or BBS, is a computer system running software that allows users to connect and log in to the system using a terminal program. Once logged in, a user can perform functions such as uploading and downloading software and data, reading news and bulletins, and exchanging...
s in 1987 and 1988. Many variations on the beerware model have been created since that time.
License
Poul-Henning KampPoul-Henning Kamp
Poul-Henning Kamp is a Danish FreeBSD developer, responsible for implementation of the widely used MD5 password hash algorithm, a vast quantity of systems code, including the FreeBSD GEOM storage layer, GBDE cryptographic storage transform, part of the UFS2 file system implementation, FreeBSD...
's beerware license is simple and short, in contrast to the GPL
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
which he has described as a "joke". The full text of Kamp's license is:
/*
* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* "THE BEER-WARE LICENSE" (Revision 42):
*
* can do whatever you want with this stuff. If we meet some day, and you think
* this stuff is worth it, you can buy me a beer in return Poul-Henning Kamp
* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*/