Embarking on a New Journey In Open Source Contribution

Introduction

I recently began picking the internet to search for Open Source projects. This is for the sole purpose of contributing to any exciting project. Guess what? I even forgot that I applied for an Outreachy internship, which is an avenue to contribute to an Open Source. My application got approved for the initial contribution stage. I am lucky for sure, I guess.

But before delving deep into what I would like to share about Open Source, can I tell what it is all about?

What is Open Source?

An open-source project is a source code made accessible. This can be for viewing, use, modification, and distribution under a non-restrictive license. So, an Open Source contribution is an act of contributing to an Open Source project or software.

Contributing to an open-source project has improved my collaboration skills. Even more, the act of communicating with my co-collaborators has been the order of the day. Planning on embarking into the field of open-source contributions? These are some of the few tips you should be aware of. Though, you can find tons of resources on the internet. These tips are my opinions, based on my personal experience, so they might be relative to others. But I am sure they will help some folks out there.

Tips for making a meaningful contribution

1. Choosing the Right Project:

Begin with the project that fits your interests and areas of skill.
Look out for communities that are active and receive regular contributions.
Also, check for responsive maintainers' teams.

2. Understanding the Contribution Process:

Become familiar with the project's version control system, such as Git. You can learn version control here.
Adhere to the code standards and contribution guidelines unique to the project.

3. Effective Communication:

Join the project's communication channels, such as Slack, Discord, and mailing lists.
Express your thoughts in detail. Always ask for clarification when necessary, and look for advice.

4. Start with Good First Issues:

Check for tasks that have "Good First Issues" tags in the projects. These are usually simpler and provide excellent starting points.

5. Read and Follow Documentation:

This is very important, always read the project's documentation. Read in its entirety to become familiar with the structure and codebase.

Conclusion

Open source contribution is a rewarding journey, fostering global collaboration. Follow best practices, maintain respect, and even small contributions matter.

Resources

Outreachy
How to Contribute to Open Source Projects – A Beginner's Guide
Beginner's guide to open-source contribution