API Examples describe and document technical aspects of how to use compiled programs for authors who wish to write and distribute their own OSP-based curricular material. This section is also a useful reference for Java programmers who wish to study how the OSP library is used. More complete technical documentation for programmers can be found on the OSP Developer website.
Although we distribute OSP source code, the modification and redistribution of compiled Java programs is not an easy task for many teachers and students. To do so, users would not only need to decipher the Java implementation of the physical model, they would also need to understand how to produce a visualization of the model’s output and how to control the model’s input using a graphical user interface. It is not, however, necessary to become expert in programming to use OSP material. Although the source code is available for Java experts, OSP simulations are available as compiled programs that run on any Java-enabled computer.
You are free to use any Open Source Physics (OSP) source code and compiled code consistent with the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2, but please note that the narratives of books, manuals, and curricular material associated with this code are copyrighted by the authors and/or publishers. See the GPL license below or write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston MA 02111-1307 USA. The GPL license is also available online at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html.
Curriculum narratives (the html pages and narratives within a jar file) are copyrighted by the narrative author. You may distribute OSP curriculum packages without charge for non-commercial educational purposes. You may modify the narrative in packages and distribute the modified packages provided that this copyright notice is included in the package and that the Open Source Physics project is referenced.