# Enhanced Programmable ircII Client > free software **Wikidata**: [Q1343049](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1343049) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/enhanced-programmable-ircii-client ## Summary The Enhanced Programmable ircII Client (EPIC) is a free software IRC client distributed under BSD licenses. It is classified as both an IRC client and free software, allowing users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the program. The software is actively maintained, with its most recent stable release, version 3.0.3, published on February 28, 2025. ## Key Facts - **Aliases:** EPIC - **Software Type:** IRC client, Free software - **License:** BSD licenses - **Current Stable Version:** 3.0.3 (released February 28, 2025) - **Previous Versions:** 2.0 (released February 13, 2016), 1.0 (released December 26, 2008) - **Official Website:** http://www.epicsol.org/ - **Distribution:** Available via openSUSE (package: epic) and MacPorts (port: epic5) - **Copyright Status:** Copyrighted - **Wikipedia Languages:** German (de), Norwegian Nynorsk (nn) - **Freebase ID:** /m/034kjw ## FAQs ### Q: What is the Enhanced Programmable ircII Client (EPIC)? A: EPIC is an IRC client classified as free software. It is designed to allow users to connect to IRC networks and is distributed under BSD licenses. ### Q: What are the licensing terms for EPIC? A: The software is distributed under the BSD licenses. As free software, it grants users the freedom to run, study, change, and distribute the software and any modified versions. ### Q: What is the most recent version of the Enhanced Programmable ircII Client? A: The most recent stable version is 3.0.3, which was released on February 28, 2025. Other recorded releases include version 2.0 (2016) and version 1.0 (2008). ### Q: Where can EPIC be installed or downloaded? A: EPIC can be downloaded from its official website at epicsol.org. It is also available through specific package managers, including openSUSE (as "epic") and MacPorts (as "epic5"). ## Why It Matters The Enhanced Programmable ircII Client matters as a specialized tool within the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) ecosystem, providing users with a programmable interface for real-time communication. Its classification as free software under the BSD licenses is significant because it ensures the application remains non-proprietary; users are granted the "four freedoms" to run, study, modify, and redistribute the code. This positions EPIC as the opposite of proprietary software, fostering a model where the tool can be adapted by the community. The software's development timeline, spanning from 2008 to 2025, demonstrates sustained relevance and maintenance in the field of network communication. By being available through package managers like openSUSE and MacPorts, it remains accessible to modern Unix-like systems, serving developers and system administrators who rely on IRC for coordination and support. ## Notable For - **Free Software Classification:** Explicitly defined as free software, distinct from freeware or proprietary alternatives, ensuring user liberties regarding modification and redistribution. - **Active Maintenance:** Features a release history extending to 2025 (version 3.0.3), indicating long-term support and updates. - **BSD Licensing:** Distributed under permissive BSD licenses, which allows for broad usage and integration compared to more restrictive copyleft licenses. - **Programmability:** Identified specifically as an "Enhanced Programmable" client, implying advanced scripting or configuration capabilities beyond standard IRC clients. - **Multi-Platform Availability:** Supports various environments through specific ports for openSUSE and Mac OS X (via MacPorts). ## Body ### Definition and Classification The Enhanced Programmable ircII Client, commonly referred to as **EPIC**, is a computer program categorized as an **IRC client** and an instance of **free software**. As free software, it operates under terms that allow users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it, including modified versions. It is described as the opposite of **proprietary software** and is distinct from **freeware**. The software is a subclass of: - Freely redistributable software - Source-available software - Open-source software It is often associated with the **free software movement** and the broader **open source movement**. ### Licensing and Permissions EPIC is distributed under the **BSD licenses**. This aligns with its identity as free software, which is characterized by the "four freedoms." The copyright status is listed as copyrighted, but the licensing ensures it is treated as libre software ("programa libre," "logiciels libres"). The data explicitly notes that while it is "said to be the same as" open-source software and free and open-source software (FOSS), it is technically "different from" these categories and distinct from a "free software license" (the legal instrument versus the software itself). ### Version History and Development The development of the Enhanced Programmable ircII Client shows a consistent timeline of stable releases hosted at `https://ftp.epicsol.org/pub/epic/EPIC5-PRODUCTION/`: - **Version 1.0:** Released on December 26, 2008. The source is available as `epic5-1.0.tar.gz`. - **Version 2.0:** Released on February 13, 2016. - **Version 3.0.3 (Current Stable):** Released on February 28, 2025. ### Distribution and Availability EPIC is accessible to users through its official website and various third-party repositories: - **Official Website:** http://www.epicsol.org/ - **openSUSE Package:** Available as `epic`. - **MacPorts Port:** Available as `epic5` for macOS environments. ### Identifiers and Metadata The entity holds several unique identifiers and metadata records: - **Wikimedia Commons:** Image resource available (Epic-screen.png). - **Wikipedia:** Articles exist in German (de) and Norwegian Nynorsk (nn). - **Freebase ID:** /m/034kjw - **Wikidata:** The entry has a sitelink count of 2. ## References 1. [2025](https://ftp.epicsol.org/pub/epic/EPIC5-PRODUCTION/)