OCR J277 - Software Licences Revision

1 [2 Marks Total]

Describe 'proprietary software'.

✅ Mark Scheme

Source code is not available/only compiled code (1). Restricted licence prevents copying/modifying/distributing (1).

Score yourself (Max 2):

2 [2 Marks Total]

Describe 'open source software'.

✅ Mark Scheme

Source code is distributed with software (1). Users can modify/redistribute code (1).

Score yourself (Max 2):

3 [3 Marks Total]

Classify: Open Source or Proprietary?

Statement	Open	Prop
Source code NOT available
Users can modify source code
Only distributed as compiled program

✅ Mark Scheme

1. Proprietary

2. Open Source

3. Proprietary

Score yourself (Max 3):

4 [2 Marks Total]

Give two benefits to a programmer of using a proprietary licence.

✅ Mark Scheme

Can earn money/profit (1). Protects code from being copied/modified (1).

Score yourself (Max 2):

5 [2 Marks Total]

Give two benefits to a user of using open source software.

✅ Mark Scheme

Usually free (1). Can adapt software to needs (1). Community fixes bugs (1).

Score yourself (Max 2):

6 [1 Mark Total]

Advantage to manufacturer of using proprietary software on hardware (e.g. e-reader).

✅ Mark Scheme

Stops competitors copying it. Ensures compatibility (users can't break it).

Score yourself (Max 1):

7 [8 Marks Total]

Extended Response: School Software Choice.
Proprietary (Attendance) vs Open Source (Exams). Discuss Legal, Ethical, and Recommend.

Why use proprietary for sensitive data? Why use open source for custom exams?

✅ Mark Scheme

Legal: Proprietary has strict licence (good for data security compliance?). Open source allows custom changes (good for unique exam rules).

Ethical: Saving money (Open Source) vs paying for reliable support (Proprietary).

Recommendation: E.g. Proprietary for attendance (security critical), Open Source for exams (flexibility critical).

Level 3 (6-8): Detailed discussion & clear recommendation.

Score yourself (Max 8):