<P> The GNU Project categorizes software by copyright status: free software, open source software, public domain software, copylefted software, noncopylefted free software, lax permissive licensed software, GPL - covered software, the GNU operating system, GNU programs, GNU software, FSF - copyrighted GNU software, nonfree software, proprietary software, freeware, shareware, private software and commercial software . </P> <P> Free software is software that comes with permission for anyone to use, copy and distribute, either verbatim or with modifications, either gratis or for a fee . In particular, this means that source code must be available . "If it's not source, it's not software ." If a program is free, then it can potentially be included in a free operating system such as GNU, or free versions of the Linux system . </P> <P> Free software in the sense of copyright license (and the GNU project) is a matter of freedom, not price . But proprietary software companies typically use the term "free software" to refer to price . Sometimes this means a binary copy can be obtained at no charge; sometimes this means a copy is bundled with a computer for sale at no additional charge . </P> <P> Open source software is software with its source code made available under a certain license to its licensees . It can be used and disseminated at any point, the source code is open and can be modified as required . The one condition with this type of software is that when changes are made users should make these changes known to others . One of the key characteristics of open source software is that it is the shared intellectual property of all developers and users . The Linux operating system is one of the best known examples of a collection of open source software . </P>

Q1. what is computer software explain three categories of software