Source Code Necessary?

[X X X]

Is a source code necessary to have an OT open to the public? After reading through a lot of OT setup tutorials, none of them say anything about compiling a source code. And just following the tutorials, I've been able to open an OT just by setting up a database and forwarding ports, not even touching a source code. But after reading through some other posts, people make it sound like conpiling source codes are necessary for OTs...
So are they needed or not?
Thanks

 

[Codex NG]

its not

 

[X X X]

Well I kind of understand compiling source codes, but how do these source codes relate to OT servers then? What exactly do they offer?

 

[Codex NG]

Its like this, when you buy a car, you drive it, if you want to make it go faster or be able to drive through the snow, ice, mud, or just out run the cops you take it to a auto mechanic.. he knows how to upgrade the car or down grade it depending on the situation called for..

The same can be said for a server, you can use it as is, or you can modify it so it does other things, but alot of that can be handled through scripts.