Open Source — How to get Started

What is Open Source?

Open source is a term that originally referred to open source software (OSS). Open source software is code that is designed to be publicly accessible — anyone can see, modify, and distribute the code as they see fit.

So Let’s Try To understand this in Laymen Terms

Open Source — those software which are free to use (like VLC media player , Apache , Open Office) ,have to access to it’s codebase, can use and modify it in any way you like : that’s open source software.

Why should we contribute to it ?

Contributing to Open source projects have lot’s of benefits:

1. Gives you hands on experience on a real working projects.
2. Learn New skills and apply to open source projects or Learn while contributing to open source projects.
3. Awesome community , gives you a place to expand your network , talk to like minded people , receive great mentorship and maybe gets some exciting offers
4. Do Impactful contribution which can add up in your resume. This would increase the value of your resume.

And many more……

Ok , So How to get started

1. Create a GitHub account
2. Look For Open Source Organization(refer GSOC organization page for organization or GitHub explore Page)
3. Learn about git and GitHub (you can find tutorials on YouTube)
4. Connect with the maintainers(drop a message on the mailing list or their discord channel or slack channel , whatever the communication channel they are using)

That’s it You made the First Step

Now wait for the maintainer to reply(say a week). Till then try setting up the repo in your device and try to run it to get to know what’s going on , how it works and so on. Most of the beginners get stuck in the installing part so make sure your read the readme file carefully and even if you still get stuck ,contact the maintainers . Look for the issues labelled as “Good First Issue” or “easy fix” related labels and try if you can solve them. Don’t hesitate to ask doubt even if it is dumb one cause that’s the way you will learn.

Happy Contributing