developer-roadmap/roadmaps/cpp/content/licensing@sLVs95EOeHZldoKY0L_dH.md

Licensing

Licensing governs how you can use, modify, and distribute software libraries, particularly crucial when integrating third-party code into your C++ projects. Common open-source licenses like MIT, GPL, and Apache 2.0 each provide different levels of freedom and obligations. The MIT License is permissive, allowing almost any use with minimal requirements. The GPL is copyleft, requiring that modifications and derivative works also be licensed under GPL. The Apache License 2.0 is permissive, but includes terms relating to patents and requires documentation of modifications. Understanding and adhering to these licenses is essential to avoid legal issues.