First, it is fun—this is why I do it. Second, it is free (think beer and speech). Third, it is open. There are no hidden interfaces, no undocumented functions or APIs (application programming interfaces), and if you do not like the way something works, you have access to the source code to fix it.Finally, and I consider this the most important reason, Linux programmers are part of a special community. At one level, everyone needs to belong to something, to identify with
something. This is as true of Windows programmers as it is of Linux programmers, or people who join churches, clubs, and athletic teams. At another, more fundamental level, the barriers to entry in this community are based on ability, skill, and talent, not money, looks, or who you know. Linus Torvalds, for example, is rarely persuaded to change the
kernel based on rational arguments. Rather, working code persuades him (he often says “Show me the code.”).