Is that dependency package open source?

How do we download and install open source package? #

As a developer, one of the most important things you can do to ensure that the third party packages you install are open source. And to do that, check the license of the packages before you use them. This is important because open source licenses have different terms and conditions than proprietary licenses, and it’s important to understand what those terms are before using the software.

The first step in ensuring that a package is open source is to check the package’s license file. This file should be included in the package and will typically be located in the root of the package’s directory. The license file will typically be a plain text file, but it may also be included as a README file or in the package’s documentation.

Another way to check whether a package is open source is to look at the package’s website. Many open source packages will include information about the package’s license on their website, either on the homepage or on a dedicated page. Additionally, you can also find the package in package management tools like pip, npm, etc. and look for the license field in the package information, it will have the information about the license of the package.

It’s also a good practice to check the package’s source code directly. Many open source licenses require that the source code be included with the package, so you can look at the package’s source code to see if it is open source.

Additionally, you can use third-party tools like “SODIM” to check the licenses of packages.

It’s important to remember that just because a package is open source, it does not mean that it is free from security vulnerabilities. Therefore, it’s important to keep track of updates, patches, and other information related to the package to ensure that it remains secure. Also make sure to check the package’s documentation, mailing lists, and forums for known issues and vulnerabilities, to ensure that you have the latest information on the package’s security.

Conclusion #

In conclusion, ensuring that the third-party packages you install are open source is an important step in responsible software development. By checking the package’s license, its website, and its source code, you can ensure that you are using open source packages that align with your project’s needs and license compliance. And, it’s always recommended to use the package security solution to check the licenses, vulnerabilities, etc of packages. If you want an automated way of doing this, we at SODIM can help!

How SODIM helps? #

We at SODIM, are trying to simplify third party packages security; one problem at a time. Using SODIM, you upload your requirements.txt file and we generate a report which gives you all the necessary information about the packages and their dependencies, even nested dependencies with a clear picture of how secure they are and if there is any vulnerabilities reported publicly for them, along with many other useful information. Checkout https://sodim.dev ! You get 10 free credits for trying it out.