The Definitive Guide to Contributing to Open Source

If you‘re a developer in today‘s world, it‘s almost impossible to avoid open source software. From the operating system on your computer to the frameworks and libraries you use every day, open source is everywhere. But what exactly is open source, and why should you consider contributing to open source projects?

What is Open Source?

At its core, open source software is code that is made freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. Unlike proprietary software that keeps its source code locked away, open source projects make their code public, allowing the community to inspect, modify and enhance it. This collaborative model of software development has produced some of the most important pieces of technology we use every day.

To give you an idea of the scale and importance of open source, consider these statistics:

• As of 2021, over 90% of companies use open source software in some way[^1]
• The total number of open source projects on GitHub exceeds 200 million[^2]
• The estimated value of open source contributions is over $400 billion per year[^3]

But open source is about more than just free code – it‘s about community, collaboration, and shared ownership. When you contribute to an open source project, you‘re joining a community of developers working together to build something greater than they could alone.

Why Contribute to Open Source?

So why should you contribute to open source? There are many reasons, both altruistic and self-serving.

On the altruistic side, contributing to open source is a way to give back to the community and make software better for everyone. If you‘ve benefited from open source tools and frameworks, contributing is a way to pay it forward and ensure those projects continue to thrive. Open source also drives innovation by allowing anyone to experiment with and improve upon existing solutions.

But contributing to open source also offers many personal benefits:

• Build Your Skills: Contributing to open source is a great way to learn new technologies, programming languages, and development practices. You‘ll get to work with experienced developers and receive feedback on your code.

• Gain Real-World Experience: Open source contributions provide practical experience that you can add to your resume. Many employers view open source contributions favorably, as they demonstrate initiative, collaboration, and technical ability.

• Expand Your Network: Contributing to open source connects you with developers around the world who share your interests. These connections can lead to job opportunities, speaking engagements, or collaborations on future projects.

• Boost Your Reputation: Making significant contributions to well-known open source projects can establish you as an expert in your field and boost your reputation within the developer community.

Still not convinced? Take a look at these success stories of developers who got their start in open source:

Developer	Open Source Contributions	Outcome
John Resig	Created jQuery while a college student	Went on to work at Mozilla and Khan Academy
Evan You	Created Vue.js in his spare time	Raised $4M for his startup, now used by Alibaba, Xiaomi and others
Valerie Aurora	Linux kernel contributor and co-founder of the Ada Initiative	Became a leading advocate for diversity and inclusion in tech

As you can see, contributing to open source can open doors and launch careers. But how exactly do you get started?

Types of Open Source Contributions

One common misconception about open source is that you need to be an elite coder to contribute. In reality, there are many ways to contribute that don‘t involve writing code at all.

Some examples of non-code contributions include:

• Documentation: Every project needs good documentation to be accessible to users and new contributors. You can help by writing tutorials, improving API docs, or proofreading existing material.

• Design: Open source projects need designers to create logos, improve the user interface, and conduct user research. If you have design skills, you can make a big impact.

• Testing: Before a new release, someone needs to put the code through its paces to catch bugs and ensure quality. If you have an eye for detail and a knack for breaking things, testing and QA might be for you.

• Bug Reporting: If you encounter a bug while using an open source tool, don‘t just grumble about it – file an issue on the project‘s bug tracker! Providing clear reproduction steps and context helps developers squash bugs faster.

• Feature Requests: Have an idea for how to improve an open source tool? Open a feature request describing your idea and its benefits. Even if you can‘t implement it yourself, you could inspire someone else to take it on.

• Community Support: Open source communities thrive on communication and support. You can help by answering questions on forums, moderating discussions, or evangelizing the project to new users.

Of course, code contributions are still the lifeblood of open source. If you are looking to contribute code, there are a few different ways you can help:

• Bug Fixes: Squashing bugs is a great way to get familiar with a project‘s codebase while improving the software for everyone. Many projects label easy bugs for first-timers to tackle.

• New Features: Have an idea for a new feature or improvement? Most projects welcome pull requests that add capabilities or refine existing ones. Just be sure to communicate with the maintainers first to ensure your feature aligns with the project roadmap.

• Refactoring: As projects grow and evolve, the codebase can become messy or outdated. Helping to refactor and modernize the code improves maintainability and makes the project more welcoming to new contributors.

• Performance: Making a project faster or more efficient is always appreciated, especially for tools that are used in production. Profiling the code to identify bottlenecks and optimizing slow paths can have a big impact.

Finding Projects to Contribute To

Now that you know all the ways you can contribute, how do you actually find projects to work on? Here are a few strategies:

• Scratch Your Own Itch: The best way to get started with open source is to find a project that solves a problem you have. Chances are if it‘s an issue for you, it‘s an issue for others as well.

• Explore GitHub: GitHub is the epicenter of open source, hosting millions of projects. Use the search and filtering options to find projects that match your interests and skill level.

• Check the "Issues" Tab: Many projects use GitHub Issues to track bugs and feature requests. Look for issues tagged "good first issue" or "help wanted" to find bite-sized ways to contribute.

• Join a Community: Many open source projects have vibrant communities on platforms like Slack, Discord, or IRC. Joining these communities is a great way to learn about the project, get help, and find opportunities to contribute.

• Attend an Event: Open source conferences and hackathons are a great place to learn about new projects and make connections with other contributors. Some notable events include FOSDEM, PyCon, and Hacktoberfest.

Etiquette and Best Practices

Once you‘ve found a project you‘d like to contribute to, it‘s important to observe some basic etiquette and best practices:

• Read the Contributor Guidelines: Most projects have a CONTRIBUTING.md file that outlines the process and preferences for contributions. Read this carefully before diving in.

• Communicate Respectfully: Open source brings together people from all over the world. Always strive to communicate professionally and respectfully, even if you disagree with someone.

• Keep PRs Focused: When contributing code, avoid large, sprawling PRs that touch many parts of the codebase. Smaller, focused PRs are easier to review and more likely to be accepted.

• Write Clear Commit Messages: Your commit messages should clearly explain the what and why of your changes. This helps maintainers understand your contribution and makes the project history more useful.

• Be Patient: Remember that most open source maintainers are volunteers juggling many responsibilities. Be patient if your contribution isn‘t reviewed immediately, and be open to feedback and iteration.

Navigating Open Source Licenses

One important aspect of open source to understand is licensing. Open source licenses dictate how the code can be used, modified and distributed by others. Here are some of the most common licenses you‘ll encounter:

• MIT: A permissive license that allows users to do anything with the code as long as they include the original copyright and license notice.

• Apache 2.0: Similar to MIT but also grants patent rights and requires modifications to be documented.

• GPL: A "copyleft" license that requires any derivatives or distributions to be licensed under the same terms. There are several versions with slightly different provisions.

• BSD: A family of permissive licenses that have minimal requirements about redistribution.

It‘s important to understand the license of any project you contribute to, as it may affect how you can use and distribute the code in your own projects. If you have questions about a project‘s license, ask the maintainers for clarification.

Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

Despite the many benefits, contributing to open source can be intimidating, especially if you‘re new to programming or working on a high-profile project. Imposter syndrome, or the feeling that you‘re not skilled enough to contribute, is very common.

If you‘re feeling unsure, remember:

• Everyone starts somewhere. Even the most experienced developers were once beginners. Don‘t compare your beginning to someone else‘s middle.

• Contributions come in many forms. You don‘t have to contribute code to make an impact. Documentation, testing, and bug reports are all valuable.

• It‘s okay to ask questions. If you‘re unsure about something, don‘t be afraid to ask for help or clarification. Most open source communities are happy to support new contributors.

• Focus on learning. Contributing to open source is a journey, not a destination. Focus on what you‘re learning, not how you measure up to others.

Remember, the open source community is vast and varied. With persistence and an open mind, you‘re sure to find a project and a community that welcomes your contributions.

Getting Paid for Open Source

While much open source work is done on a volunteer basis, there are also opportunities to get paid for your contributions. Some options include:

• Sponsorships and Donations: Some projects accept donations to fund development. If you‘re a core contributor, you may be able to secure sponsorship to work on the project full or part-time.

• Bounty Programs: Platforms like Gitcoin and Bountysource offer bounties for completing specific issues or features. Bounty amounts can range from a few dollars to thousands.

• Open Source Jobs: Some companies, especially those that rely heavily on open source software, hire developers to work on open source full-time. This allows you to contribute while still earning a salary.

• Offering Services: If you become an expert in an open source tool, you may be able to offer consulting, training, or development services to companies that use it. This allows you to get paid for your open source skills without being employed by a project.

Final Thoughts

Contributing to open source can be a rewarding, challenging, and educational experience. Whether you‘re looking to give back to the community, build your skills, or launch your career, there‘s a place for you in the open source world.

As you embark on your open source journey, remember:

• Start small. Look for beginner-friendly issues or projects to get your feet wet.

• Be patient. Contributing to open source is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time and focus on learning.

• Communicate respectfully. The open source community is global and diverse. Always strive for empathy and professionalism in your interactions.

• Have fun! Open source is an opportunity to work on projects you‘re passionate about with people who share your interests. Enjoy the journey and the connections you make along the way.

Now go forth and contribute! The open source community is waiting for you.

[^1]: 2021 Open Source Security and Risk Analysis Report, Synopsys
[^2]: "The State of the Octoverse", GitHub (2021)
[^3]: "Embracing Open Source in the Enterprise", Linux Foundation (2020)