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In computer science, a '''binary blob''' is an opaque [[Binary file|binary]] object for which no source code is available. In some operating system communities, such as those of [[Ubuntu (Linux distribution)|Ubuntu]] and [[OpenBSD]], the term refers to partial or complete drivers provided by companies such as [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] and [[NVIDIA]] to provide support for their [[hardware]]. Such blobs can be a point of conflict between [[open source software|open source]] and [[free software]] advocates and developers and regular users of the operating system, as binary blobs can provide convenient support for popular hardware at the cost of the ability to read and modify every part of the operating system.
OpenBSD has long had an anti-blob policy in it's source tree, citing not only the potential of irreparable and nigh undetectable security flaws but also it's encroachment into the openness and freedom of their software<ref>{{cite web|last = Music composed by Ty Semaka and Jonathan Lewis. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Jonathan Lewis of Moxam Studios (1-403-233-0350). Vocals and Lyrics by Ty Semaka & Theo de Raadt. Bass guitar, organ and bubbles by Jonathan Lewis. Guitar by Tom Bagley. Drums by Jim Buick|url = http://www.openbsd.org/lyrics.html#39|title = 3.9: "Blob!"|publisher = OpenBSD|accessdate = 2006-06-22}}</ref>. This stance is expected to be validated by an impending information release regarding an exploit within a binary wireless network card's driver<ref>{{cite web|last = An article by Robert McMillan of IDG News Service regarding the hacking of a Wi-Fi binary blob driver - June 21, 2006|url = http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/06/21/79536_HNwifibreach_1.html|title = Researchers hack Wi-Fi driver to breach laptop|publisher = InfoWorld|accessdate = 2006-06-23}}</ref>, which further details will be released at the August 2nd [[Black Hat Briefings|Black Hat USA 2006]].
While some projects hold a strongly open-source stance, other projects are more pragmatic and willing to accept binary blobs in order to obtain enhanced functionality, such projects include [[NetBSD]], [[FreeBSD]], [[DragonFly BSD]], [[Ubuntu (Linux distribution)|Ubuntu]], and [[Fedora Core|Fedora]], who ship with a varied number of binaries for purposes ranging from RAID functionality to networking to 3d accelerated graphics.
==Notes and references==
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