Summary

This web content discusses the importance and benefits of contributing to open-source software (OSS) as the 34th step in the "Programming Enlightenment" series.

Abstract

The article emphasizes the significance of engaging with open-source projects as a means to gain deeper understanding of software development, network with like-minded individuals, and contribute to the community. It suggests that by participating in OSS, one can learn best practices from experienced developers, understand the inner workings of software, and enhance their skills through hands-on contributions. The piece also provides examples of notable open-source projects such as RxJava, Kotlin, Dagger 2.0, and Retrofit, and offers practical advice on how to begin contributing, starting with documentation, writing test code, and addressing bugs or feature requests.

Opinions

Open-source software is highly valued for its educational potential and community-driven nature.
Contributing to OSS is an excellent opportunity for learning and professional growth.
Engaging with OSS allows developers to understand how quality software is built and maintained.
Collaborating on OSS projects provides a platform to meet and work with passionate, skilled individuals in the field.
Writing documentation, test code, and fixing bugs are recommended starting points for new OSS contributors.
The article suggests that contributing to OSS is not just about using the software but also about understanding and improving it for the benefit of the community.

Step 34: Fulfill Your Ambitions with Open Source ~ Richard Monson-Haefel

This is the 34th Step towards gaining the Programming Enlightenment series. If you didn’t learn the 33rd Step, read it.

What is Open Source?

Open-source software (OSS) is computer software with its source code made available with a license in which the copyright holder provides the rights to study, change, and distribute the software to anyone and for any purpose. Examples include Linux, MySQL, Firefox, Ubuntu etc.

Why contribute to Open Source?

Because Open Source are awesome.

Open Source project are heavily maintained by great developers in that field. Every piece of code is an opportunity to learn, how a good software is built.

When you get to contribute the code and ideas to the project — we will learn something new just by working on solutions and contributing code.

Instead of using the Open Source software for our easy, we will learn the inner workings of how the magic really happens inside.

We get an opportunity to meet great people with the same passion for the same field.

It will be an excellent opportunity to showcase and add value to the OSS which the community can thrive upon.

How to contribute to Open Source?

There is a wealth of Open Source available out there. One can start out with libraries and go deeper into other framework OSS.

RxJava — Reactive Extensions for the JVM

Kotlin — Kotlin Programming Language

Dagger 2.0— Dependency Injection for Android and Java

Retrofit — Type-safe HTTP client for Android and Java

If you want to start, you could offer to help out with the documentation.

Could start by volunteering to write test code.

Even better look at the bugs, or suggested feature enhancement, make fixes and create a pull-request for it.

TL;DR Dive into the OSS. Learn how the magic happens and if you want more start by contributing today.

Go to the series.

Go to 33rd Step

Go to the 34th Step.

References:

97 things Every Programmer Should Know ~ Git Book
97 Things Every Programmer Should Know ~ Paperback
Open source Software ~ Wiki