AW: [scilab-Users] Questions about XCOS licensing and code generation

[Harald Galda, Dr. Eng. (J)]

Dear users,

I would like to know more about the license of generated code: Are the standard 
blocks and palettes that come with XCos under the CeCILL license? If an XCos 
user designs an XCos model, generates C code from it and compiles the C code to 
object code, can this object code be distributed as open source software only?

When distributing PC software for scientific computation, it is basically no 
problem to deliever the source code along with object code and to allow the user 
to do anything with it the author can also do.

However, things are different with embedded systems for the following reasons:

1. It might not be possible to change the software on the device it is running 
on because the DSP or micro controller it is running on is not accessable. This 
is applies to cars, for example. It is difficult to discourage or even to forbid 
disassembling a system and to allow modifying the software controlling it at the 
same time.

2. The safety of the user, the device or the environment might be endangered 
when software is modified by people not qualified to do so. If a medical doctor 
modifies the software controlling medical equipment, the equipment with the 
modified software might be harmful for patients or medical personnel. 

I do support the open source concept. However, I do not intend to sacrifice the 
safety, security or reliability of a technical system I develop for the sake of 
allowing users to play around with the software.

Best regards
Harald Galda