Differences between commercial and community version

[terryw64]

Aside from assisting with the cause by buying a license. What if any, are the differences between the community and commercial versions? Other than locking down the code that is.

If I use it, it's mainly for in-house/personal use. No product selling, etc..

Thank you

[FourthWorld]

Functionally, the two are identical with the exception you noted, that the Commercial Edition allows script protection by using a password on the stack, while the Community Edition does not as that would be incompatible with the terms of the Gnu Public License (GPL).

It's the license which is the biggest difference:

With the Commercial Edition, you can choose to release your app made with LiveCode under any licensing terms you like as long as those terms conform to the Commercial Edition's EULA.

The Community Edition is governed by GPL v3, where the main goal is to promote free and open sharing of code wherever an app or works derived from the app are distributed.

That last part is especially relevant to your question because the GPL is a distribution license: Source code only needs to be made available to others who receive your app; if the app isn't distributed to others, there is no obligation to make the source code available.

The first question in the FAQ describes various scenarios in which each license edition would be a good fit:
http://livecode.com/support/ask-a-question/

[Saman Sjr.]

Hi Richard,

After almost a year learning LC, I'm ready to publish one of my app (.apk) to play store, with open source license I know I have to share my code.
Is it correct if I just attach my .livecode file when "Save as Standalone Application as .apk ?

Kind Regard's
Saman Sjr.

[richmond62]

As far as I know you do NOT have to attach your code, all you have to do is provide a location
(such as a URL) where people can obtain your code.

[FourthWorld]

Saman, what does the license say? It's very important to read the license terms before choosing that license to govern your work.

[Saman Sjr.]

Thank's Richmond & Richard,
for a non English speaker like me, understanding the license terms is another big thing beside creating the app

kind regard's

[FourthWorld]

Any of these help?:
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/translations.html

[Saman Sjr.]

unfortunately no, but thanks anyway

[FourthWorld]

What language would you prefer? The GPL is the most popular open source license in use, so I should be able to turn up a copy in nearly any language.

[Saman Sjr.]

no problem Richard, I'll ask my friend to translate it to me.
I'm Indonesian (Chinese born in Indonesia).

many thanks

[FourthWorld]

If you find a good Indonesian translation please post the link. It seems the one at the Free Software Foundation is offline.

FWIW, if you can deal with the somewhat legalistic English this primer on GPL goals may be helpful:
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/quick-guide-gplv3.html