"An ecosystem is a unit of interdependent organisms which share the same habitat." - Definition: Ecosystem on Wikipedia .
Software comprises a symbiotic ecosystem that functions in much the same way as ecosystems found in nature. The various elements interact with one another, thereby providing a complete solution to users. ISVs and SaaS companies are part of the ecosystem of open source software (OSS), yet some of these companies are referred to as vampires, leeches, parasites and freeloaders because they don’t give back code to the community software.
Pardon my quick digression, but parasites are valuable members of any ecosystem. They do the dirty work of cleaning the ecosystem and turning waste into valuable food and fertilizer for the ecosystem. Consider, for example how your neighborhood …
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