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OCR H446 1.2.2 Open and closed source
Part 2 of 7 · H446 1.2.2 · Applications generation
Open- and closed-source questions in H446 1.2.2 turn on source access, licence permissions and who carries the consequences. This worksheet keeps the creator and the user in view at the same time, so students argue from control and licence terms rather than from price.
Students will:
- separate access to source code from what a licence actually permits
- attach every stated benefit or drawback to a named stakeholder
- compare a self-hosted open route with a managed closed service under long-term constraints
- qualify claims such as 'open means free' or 'closed means supported' with the missing condition
- recommend a source model for two contrasting organisations and name a risk each carries
Inside: 5 explanation cells, 1 multiple-choice question, 1 fill-in-the-blanks cell and 5 written answers. 42 marks, about 40 to 50 minutes.
Series: H446 1.2.2 · Applications generation, part 2 of 7.
Shared by Coding PathwayVerified teacher
- 12 cells
- About 45 minutes
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Shared 31 Aug 2026
- Updated 3 Sept 2026
Preview
The whole resource, exactly as a class sees it. Answers and marking are held back.
Open and closed source
The decision is about access, licence and control
Open-source software makes source available under a licence that sets permissions. Closed-source software keeps source under the owner's control and licenses executable use. Open is not public domain, and neither route guarantees price, security, quality or support.
Compare both viewpoints
| Angle | Possible open-source consequence | Possible closed-source consequence |
|---|---|---|
| user modification | inspect/adapt if licence and skills allow | normally cannot change or repair source |
| creator control | outside contributions and reuse, but less exclusive control | retain source/IP control and licensing choices |
| support | community, paid provider or in-house support may exist | supplier support may exist but creates dependency |
| security | inspectable code, but fixes still need capable maintainers | controlled disclosure, but users depend on supplier fixes |
| cost | may avoid some licence fees; deployment still costs | may have fees; some products are free to use |
Which statement is defensible?
- AOpen-source software has no copyright
- BOpen-source software can be modified when its licence permits and the user has the capability
- CClosed-source software is always secure
- DClosed-source software always has a purchase price
Describe one drawback of closed-source software rather than open-source software for a small laboratory that needs a specialist calculation changed quickly. Develop a three-link chain.
Answer the requested direction: closed-source feature -> restricted action/dependency -> laboratory consequence.
Students type their answer here.
Compare two benefits and two drawbacks of open source for (a) the creator and (b) a school user. Keep the stakeholder attached to every consequence.
Modification, contributions, reach, control, maintenance, support, security responsibility and skills may matter.
Students type their answer here.
A school needs a learning platform for ten years. It has one technical specialist, strict safeguarding requirements, limited budget and a need to export all data. Compare an open-source self-hosted route with a closed-source managed service and justify a conditional choice.
Use capability, maintenance, support, data portability, licensing and supplier dependency.
Students type their answer here.
Apply the model independently
The remaining tasks change the context or reduce the support. Complete them without copying the worked model, then check that each explanation connects a mechanism to its consequence.
A research team wants collaborators to inspect and reproduce an analysis tool, while a medical-device supplier wants controlled releases and a single accountable maintenance route. Recommend a source model for each and identify one risk that remains after the choice.
A source model changes permissions and control; it does not remove operational risk.
Students type their answer here.
Repair four claims: ‘open means free’, ‘open means insecure’, ‘closed means supported’, and ‘closed means the user owns the software’. State the missing condition in each.
Separate price from source access, security from maintenance, support from contract and ownership from licence to use.
Students type their answer here.
Review your understanding
Before submitting, check that you can explain the main distinction in your own words, apply it in an unfamiliar context and justify each consequence rather than only naming a feature.