How to contribute to open-source
How to get started with open-source contributions
Open-source software is a valuable resource that is used by people all over the world. Many popular software tools we use for our day-to-day jobs are products of the open-source revolution.
What is open-source software?
Open source is the term used for a software project that is accessible to the public where anybody can have access to the codebase that makes it work. The opposite of open source is closed source, applications whose source code is proprietary, meaning the source code is hidden from public view.
While closed-source software may offer certain advantages such as enhanced security, open-source promotes a culture of shared knowledge and collective problem-solving, empowering individuals and fostering a spirit of collaboration that drives the progress of technology forward. By embracing open source, we can tap into a world of endless possibilities and contribute to the growth of a thriving software ecosystem.
Examples of open-source projects
There are countless open-source projects used currently worldwide. They include:
Programming languages
Most programming languages are open-source. This means they have an active community that constantly improves the quality of the language and set guidelines on how to use them. Examples include Python, Scala, Javascript, Go, Rust, Ruby, etc. Each open-source programming language has a foundation responsible for managing its developer ecosystem.
Website CMS
Many popular websites connect management systems that are open source. They include WordPress, Drupal, and Magneto. There has also been an emergence of open-source headless CMS solutions that provide APIs for managing website content, they include Directus and Strapi.
Developer tools
Open source is a game-changer in software development, providing many valuable tools for building applications. These tools encompass a diverse range of functionalities, such as version control systems like Git, which enables efficient collaboration and tracking of code changes, web server software like Node.js and Django, and build software like Gradle which empowers developers to create robust and scalable applications.
Databases
Databases like Redis and PostgreSQL are pivotal in data management, providing reliable storage solutions for a wide range of applications. Redis stands out with its lightning-fast in-memory caching capabilities, while PostgreSQL excels in providing robust relational database functionality. Other notable open-source databases include MySQL, SQLite, Apache Cassandra and MariaDB.
Applications
VideoLAN (VLC) and Blender are shining examples of open-source applications. VideoLAN (VLC) is a popular versatile media player that supports a wide range of audio and video formats. Blender is a powerful open-source 3D creation suite used for modelling and animation. By providing free access to their source code, they empower users to customize and extend their functionalities, creating a vibrant ecosystem of community-driven development.
Operating Systems
The most popular open-source operating systems today are Linux and Andriod. Linux is known for its stability, security, and flexibility, and it powers countless servers, embedded systems, and even desktop computers. Android, developed by Google, is an open-source operating system powering mobile devices globally.
Browsers
Firefox and Chromium exemplify the power of open-source browsers in driving competition, innovation, and user empowerment. Firefox, developed by Mozilla, has been a driving force in advocating for open web standards and user privacy. Chromium, on the other hand, is a derivative of Google Chrome. It is used as the backbone for new browsers (for example, Brave and Microsoft Edge).
Other opensource projects include:
Data science libraries like Pandas, Tensorflow, Keras, Scikit Learn and Pytorch.
Network and Cloud tools like Nginx, Docker, Kubernetes, and Terraform.
Blockchains like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Polkadot.
Why is open source important?
Collaboration and innovation: Opensource creates an environment for people to experiment with ideas and make improvements that make the software better.
Diversity: Open source communities have the most diverse set of people across different experience levels, and these people work at various organizations.
Inclusivity: Opensource makes it possible for anyone no matter their background to be part of a project and to be able to use the tool.
Trust and accountability: Because the changes done to open source software are open to the public, this increases the trust people have as decisions are made with everyone in mind.
Learning opportunities: Open source projects provide a treasure chest of ideas and experience that individuals can explore and learn.
Different ways to contribute to open source
Code contribution 👨🏽💻
The most popular way to contribute to open-source projects is to make individual code contributions. This includes writing code that fixes bugs, adds new features or increases the performance of the software.
To contribute to an open-source project you first have to read their contribution guide/code of conduct, explore issues created or create your own. Issues usually are like requests made for improvements or bugs in open-source software.
When you find the issue that you can implement, you can contribute your code through pull requests. A pull request is a code change that you want to be added to the main project. To create a pull request, you first have to fork the project repository, create a branch, make changes and test, push new code changes and then make a pull request to the original repository. It is also good to add a good description and title. Also adding a link to a related issue is great practice. Your change is then reviewed and is either approved and merged into the existing project or rejected.
You can also review pull requests made by other contributors. You can learn more about pull requests here.
Documentation 📄
Most open-source software should have documentation that outlines how the software features of the software and how users can make use of it. Think of it to be like an instruction manual.
However, some open-source projects lack good/up-to-date documentation. You can contribute to the documentation by creating one if there is none, adding guides that may be missing and helping to audit the documentation. You can also help translate the language of documentation to other native languages to ensure more people can benefit and participate in the project.
Community 👥
The community plays a vital role in the success of open-source projects, as it brings together individuals with diverse skills, perspectives, and experiences to collectively drive innovation and development. You can contribute to open-source communities through community advocacy or community support.
Community advocacy in open-source involves promoting the project, sharing experiences, and attracting contributors. Community support includes assisting newcomers, answering questions, and fostering a welcoming environment for all contributors.
Bug Bounties 🐞
Bug bounties enable you to contribute to open-source projects by finding and reporting vulnerabilities. By participating, you can leverage your skills, earn rewards, and help enhance the security of widely used software. It's a collaborative approach that benefits project maintainers, users, and the overall software ecosystem.
Donations 💰
Donating to open-source projects is a valuable way to support their development and sustainability. Financial contributions help fund activities such as project maintenance, bug fixes, and feature enhancements. By donating, you enable developers to allocate more time and resources to the project, ensuring its continuous growth and improvement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, open-source software thrives through community collaboration, advocacy, bug bounties, and donations. By actively engaging in the open-source ecosystem, we can contribute our skills, raise awareness, enhance security, and support innovative projects.
If you're passionate about learning and collaborating in a supportive environment, join the Dome Academy – a collaborative learning platform that brings together open-source enthusiasts. Explore Dome Initiative at https://domeinitiative.com and join our vibrant community at https://bit.ly/join-dome. Together, let's shape the future of open-source technology and foster a culture of knowledge-sharing and innovation.