PYTHON — Contribute to Bpython
Every once in a while, a new technology, an old problem, and a big idea turn into an innovation. — Dean Kamen
Contributing to Bpython: An Open-Source Python Project
Bpython is an open-source project licensed under the MIT license, with its code hosted on GitHub. It encourages contributions from programmers of all skill levels. You can contribute to Bpython by fixing bugs, improving documentation, adding translations, or suggesting new features.
Getting Started
To begin contributing to Bpython, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Find Bitesize Issues
Start by checking out GitHub issues labeled “bitesize” that are still open in the Bpython project. These issues are particularly suitable for getting started and can help you become familiar with the codebase.
Step 2: Fork and Clone the Repository
First, fork the Bpython project on GitHub under your name. Next, clone the Bpython repository to your computer. Don’t forget to change the command to use your GitHub username; otherwise, you won’t be able to write any changes you make back to it.
Step 3: Set Up the Development Environment
After cloning the repository, move into the Bpython directory and add tags to allow the setup to be completed. This is done by adding the original Bpython repository as an upstream remote and then fetching those tags.
Step 4: Install Dependencies
Create and activate a virtual environment for the cloned project using Python 3.7 or later, and install your copy of Bpython with the required dependencies in editable mode. You should have all the mandatory requirements in place as part of the installation process. You can also manually install optional dependencies that may be useful during development or for enabling extra features.
Step 5: Make Changes to the Source Code
You can now make changes to the Bpython source code. As a simple example, you can change the banner with the Python version that appears at the top of the screen when you start Bpython. Open the args.py module in your favorite code editor. Because you installed Bpython using the editable mode, changes like this will immediately show up in your virtual environment when you run the module.
Step 6: Contribute Back
When you are happy with your modifications and ready to contribute back, open a pull request to the original repository. Your changes will then be reviewed by the Bpython maintainers.
Summary
By following these steps, you can start making valuable contributions to the Bpython project. As an open-source project, Bpython welcomes contributions from developers of all levels of experience. Happy coding!
