The crucial role of openness in modern software development

Openness is more than beneficial – it is a competitive necessity for developers, vendors, and end users alike.

The technology landscape is undergoing a powerful transformation: Openness is no longer an option, it is the new norm. Open technologies, protocols, standards and platforms as well as open source tools are enhancing interoperability while fueling innovation and performance, benefiting both users and vendors.

In the last decades, the adoption and acceptance of openness has accelerated dramatically in any technological field. What was once considered an alternative model to proprietary solutions has now become the de facto approach. For example, open source components and libraries form the backbone of nearly every application in every industry, according to the 2024 Open Source Security and Risk Analysis (OSSRA) Report. Even more, the study found that 96% of codebases contain open source code and 77% originate from it. 

The shift towards openness is especially clear in the software development community, however it extends beyond open source software (OSS) to include open standards, protocols, technologies, platforms and much more. Software engineers are likely aware of key examples, such as Extensible Markup Language (XML), JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), and Jakarta EE. Besides, a variety of sectors are moving in the same direction.

Every industry heavily relies on open specifications from regulatory bodies, such as the International Standard Organization (ISO), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), as well as common protocols, e.g. the Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA). In effect, regulators are proposing new legislation and standards based on openness, such as the Interoperable Europe Act, at unprecedented rates.

Besides, it is not solely users who are valuing and adopting openness. Vendors are showing growing interest in strategic partnerships, conformance collaborations and specifications as well as memoranda of understanding.

The benefits of openness

At the core of this common interest towards openness is the growing need for interoperability and flexibility. In effect, users, vendors and regulators equally benefit from broader compatibility.

The perks of flexibility

When it comes to internal and external-facing applications, software engineers as well as end users greatly value interoperability between systems, devices and platforms. Firstly, the development or improvement of software solutions is not restricted by proprietary systems or closed ecosystems. Instead, developers are offered flexibility, as they are empowered to tap into a wide pool of resources and codebases and select the solutions that are best suited to support a specific project or application, ultimately benefiting end users with quality software.

In addition, with over 1,000 applications used across a typical enterprise and the number of new ones soaring by 28% every year, making sure these are connected and can communicate with each other is paramount. Besides enhancing user experience and software management activities, fully integrated and interoperable systems can improve stability, visibility and standardization while reducing maintenance and IT costs.

At the same time, vendors can expand their market reach by ensuring compatibility with a wider range of solutions and technologies while fostering synergistic cooperations within the industry. In effect, the shift towards open solutions is fostering a more inclusive and collaborative approach to technological development. It not only strengthens the broad development community, but it also spurs innovation across sectors. As a result, vendors have been able to adapt to the rapidly changing digital environment and adopt cutting-edge components, such as artificial intelligence (AI), ultimately succeeding in the fast delivery of highly advanced solutions to users.

Unified standards for a thriving supply chain

For regulators, interoperability and compatibility simplify the creation and enforcement of industry standards that address market needs. One key advantage is the enhanced resilience and stability of markets. When systems are designed to work together, disruptions caused by vendor lock-in, supply chain issues or technological incompatibilities are minimized.

Furthermore, openness guidelines can drive global alignment and cross-border cooperation. In a world where trade and digital services operate across national boundaries, interoperability allows different jurisdictions to harmonize their regulatory approaches. This reduces trade barriers, simplifies compliance while supporting international cooperation on pressing regulatory issues, such as cybersecurity and data privacy.

In addition, when different systems, solutions, and components are designed to work together seamlessly, regulators can establish clear and consistent standards that apply across the industry while preventing market fragmentation. More precisely, if industry-wide standards are based on interoperable and compatible technologies, it becomes easier to apply security, privacy, and safety measures uniformly. Updates and new compliance requirements can be implemented across the board, rather than having to tailor them to multiple disconnected systems.

Driving openness with application platforms

As the shift toward openness continues to redefine software development, application platforms that embrace open standards and interoperability play a critical role in ensuring interoperability, compatibility, flexibility, and long-term viability. Among these platforms, Jakarta EE stands out. It is an open, vendor-neutral platform for enterprise Java applications that is built on widely adopted open standards and specifications.

By promoting compatibility and interoperability, Jakarta EE allows developers to build applications that can seamlessly run on different environments (i.e. on-premises, cloud-based or hybrid) and application servers, such as Payara Platform, without vendor lock-in. In effect, one of the key advantages of Jakarta EE is its commitment to standardization while maintaining flexibility.

Organizations can develop applications using a consistent set of APIs and frameworks, ensuring that software remains maintainable, secure, and compliant with industry’s best practices. Since Jakarta EE follows an open governance model and is backed by a global community of contributors, its evolution is driven by real-world requirements rather than proprietary interests, making it a reliable choice for long-term application development strategies. Ultimately, by choosing an open platform like Jakarta EE, vendors and software developers can have confidence in the adaptability, efficiency, and long-term sustainability of their solutions.

Over the past decades, the evolution of software development has been heavily influenced by the dichotomy between openness and proprietary systems. As the technology landscape evolves and the digital transformation of businesses progresses, the ability to build and deploy applications without constraints is more critical than ever. By adopting an open platform, like Jakarta EE, and compatible associated technologies, such as runtimes, companies are not simply investing in a development framework. They are embracing a futureproof approach that prioritizes flexibility, collaboration, and continuous innovation.

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