Introduction
This article I will introduce you to open-source tech projects. You will begin with an introduction to the idea of open-source, followed by how to identify such projects and what to expect when taking part in them. Whether you’re here because you’re confused about open source, or because you’re ready to jump into the many varied projects available, this article will equip you with the knowledge to take your first step.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this article, you will be able to:
Explain what open-source projects are
Identify open-source projects available on the internet
List the benefits of joining open-source projects
Explain the process of choosing and taking part in an open-source project
Step 1: Walkthrough
Let’s begin by answering the fundamental question: what are open-source projects? As the name suggests, open-source projects refer to tech projects that have their source code readily available for viewing (and modification) by the public. Read the following article to get a general overview of open-source projects, including
Its history
Some statistics regarding such projects
Open-source licences and products
Article: Tech Target–What is Open Source?
Then, head on to the following article for a more comprehensive view on open-source software, including
The differences between open, closed and free software
The values behind open-source software
Examples of open-source projects aside from software
Article: Red Hat–What is Open Source?
Step 2: Contributing to Open-Source (as a Beginner)
Some of you may be thinking, “I’m just a beginner, contributing to open-source projects is for the pros!” I’m here to tell you that that’s not true. There are many open-source projects out there that have places for both beginners and experienced developers.
Read the following two articles to find out
Why beginners should contribute to open-source projects
How to find beginner-friendly projects
How to select a suitable project for yourself
Article: Open Source Contribution for Beginners
Article: Stack Overflow - Getting Started with Contributing to Open Source
While your goal as a developer may be to eventually write code to build a new feature that you’ve always wanted on the platform of your choice, it’s important to understand that contributing to open source can start off without any coding involved.
The following discussion item illustrates some of the best (non-coding ways) you can contribute to open-source projects.
Discussion Item by Steve (Gadget) Barns
As a first-time contributor, you may wish to consider these other ways of working on an open-source project.
Here are some interesting open-source projects to get an idea of what working open-source can be like!
30 Seconds of Code is a repository containing short code snippets and programming-related articles. Each snippet focuses on something simple and useful that can be done with the code (e.g. converting a string of a boolean to an actual boolean), making the material both practical and accessible to new learners.
Next, did you know that many programming languages that you are familiar with are developed open-source? Python, JavaScript implementations such as Angular, React and Vue, and Go, are some popular examples!
Open-source projects don't have to be limited to developer-use, such as resources for learning, or programming languages. Zulip is a tool that enables collaboration across teams. Check out Zulip to find out what it's like to build an open-source tool for general use!