get started with open source

Open source is the source code of a project which made public so that anyone can see their code, modify the bugs, fix those issues and contribute in that project and became a contributor of that project. Open-Source Contribution involves contributing to the development or improvement of open-source software.

Importance of Open source:

It is an opportunity to learn and grow. Suppose you're a college student or working professional and you are working on some technology that limits to your own particular scope and you'll not learn outside your scope. But if you do open source, it gives you extra exposure out of your scope. And In every step, you're learning something new. Every time you contribute you will learn something new via seeing issues in that open source project.

Knowledge is always expanding when you're working on the nth number of tools on open source.

You work with people you don't know, from around the world! Real work experience, plus you get to learn tech skills and grow your network.

Some misconceptions:

While starting don't think you should have in-depth knowledge of that particular tool. Like there is no limit to depth so if you think I learn everything and then I'll contribute then it will never gonna happen, you will never reach at that position.

So you know the basics and syntax well of that technology then it's a good time to get started. As soon as you understand the core of that technology, you are ready to go to contribute to open source.

Tips on choosing a project:

If you're a beginner, you can follow this approach when you are starting an open source contribution

One Approach :

Let's say you are working on some tool with which you are familiar in that. So it became easier for you to contribute to it. See what is broken in that or try to add a new feature. Just see what are error you're getting try to find an error via the error string and via that string try to find to look code around that part.

Also If you are a beginner you can search for a good-first-issue tag, good-first-issue is generally for beginners to get started

Don't go to fix the famous project. Fix the thing which you're using and what problem you have.

Second Approach :

• Explore new project

In that scenario, you don't have much knowledge. In that case, you can start with the entry file for that you can see ReadME.MD file for a better understanding of that project. Let's say this is an npm project, there would be main files from where the program enters, start from that file, and propagate to the source code. Always go through the entry file of the project and propagate into it when you are starting a new project.

Must have to know this prerequisite:

For contribution, you must have basic knowledge of git and GitHub like how to fork, how to clone in our local machine, how to commit, and how to raise a pull request.

If you are a beginner I would suggest you to use interactive tools and docs like beginner-guide it walks you through all the steps which help you on your first contribution to open source. and Also download the GUI (graphical user Interface) of GitHub i.e. github desktop

Open Source Programs:

There are many open source programs that promote open source in which you can participate and contribute into it.

• Hacktoberfest

• Google Summer of Code (GSoC)

• GirlScript Summer of Code

• MLH Fellowship

• Outreachy

Remember:

If you are a beginner and doing first open source first time then Don't get overwhelmed by seeing large code. You can start your journey with a good-first-issue tag.

If you find a grammatical issue or syntax error that shows you're giving a lot more attention than other people. Even If you find these small issues and fix that, that's the most difficult task you can do.