The thesis deals with free and open source software for lidar data processing. The first part includes descriptions of basic principles of airborne laser scanning technology, and describes and compares standard data formats for lidar data storage (ASCII and LAS). In the second part, development of free and open source software is investigated, describing most commonly used software licenses, under which free and open source software is issued. In the following chapters the aforementioned software is examined and analysed. Software is chosen based on criteria determining the adequacy of the software for pedagogical and research usages. The criteria are defined separately for each intended use. Through software assessment individual software is recommended for particular uses. The thesis primarily focuses on software review for pedagogical aspects of use. Test data derived from a recent scanning in Slovenia (Koroška bela) is used to introduce the procedure of lidar data processing, and elaboration of digital terrain model with software SAGA GIS and FUSION/LDV. Operating instructions for both programmes for digital terrain model elaboration (SAGA GIS and FUSION/LDV) are added
