Which type of software is freely available and updated by a global community?

Open source software is designed to be freely available to anyone, allowing users to inspect, modify, and enhance the code as they see fit. This type of software fosters collaboration and innovation among a global community of developers who contribute updates, bug fixes, and new features. The open nature of this software ensures that it is often more secure and adaptable than proprietary software, as it benefits from collective insights and rapid iteration from users worldwide.

The community involvement typically leads to a diverse range of applications and solutions, giving users the freedom to tailor the software to their specific needs. Notably, the principles of open source not only promote accessibility but also encourage transparency and shared learning, which are foundational aspects of many modern software development practices.

In contrast, software packages may refer to commercial software that requires purchase and may not necessarily allow for community involvement. Mashups, typically web applications that combine data or functionality from different sources, do not define the nature of software distribution or community involvement. Outsourced software refers to applications developed by third-party vendors, which usually does not imply community-driven development or free access. Thus, open source is the only option that fully encompasses the attributes of freedom, community updates, and collaborative development.