Open-Source Software Contribution
Readings
Notes
Top 20 things a new programmer can do to make good contributions to open source software:
- Explore “First Timers Only,” a website that curates open-source projects that invite new contributors to join.
- Check out “GitHub’s Guide to Open Source,” a comprehensive guide to open-source software.
- Read “What Motivates a Developer to Contribute to Open-Source Software?” to understand why developers contribute to open source.
- Review “List of Beginner-Friendly Projects” on GitHub to find projects that are suitable for new contributors.
- Join an open-source community and engage with other developers.
- Choose a project that you are interested in and passionate about.
- Read the project’s documentation and get familiar with the codebase.
- Ask questions and seek guidance from the project maintainers.
- Use version control software, such as Git, to manage changes to the codebase.
- Start with small, simple tasks and work your way up to more complex tasks.
- Follow best practices for contributing to open source, such as writing clear, concise code and submitting well-documented pull requests.
- Test your code thoroughly before submitting it for review.
- Be patient and expect that your code may need revisions.
- Follow the project’s coding style and standards.
- Collaborate with other contributors to solve problems and share ideas.
- Take feedback constructively and learn from it.
- Contribute to open-source projects regularly to build a portfolio and gain experience.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends in the open-source community.
- Participate in open-source events and hackathons to meet other developers and gain experience.
- Consider contributing to initiatives like “Call for Code: Open Source for Good” to make a positive impact on society.