From making contributions to connecting with like-minded folks, open source has been a huge part of my journey. In this blog post, I will be sharing the impact open source has had on my life.
What led me to open source
It was 2020, I was in my second year of college when I first discovered open source through my work as a web developer. I still remember it was mid-September, I had just finished my mid-semester exams and was looking for some new things to learn. Something about the idea of open source caught my eye - the potential for collaboration across geographical boundaries and an ever-growing community of helpful people.
After a bit of research, I stumbled upon projects like React and open-event frontend that were all part of the open-source movement. I also came across Hacktoberfest, an annual event to encourage open-source contributions. Taking part in the event gave me a chance to not only contribute code to existing projects but also learn from experienced developers in the process. It was incredibly inspiring to be able to connect with people around the world who shared my passion for coding and learning new technologies. Through this experience, I gained greater insight into how powerful open source can be and why it is so important for the ongoing development of software and services.
The method
When I first started using open source, I had to face the horrors that many people are terrified of. I felt completely overwhelmed by the huge codebases as I didn't know how to find my way through them. Due to this fear I had to give up contributing twice until I decided to give it a last go.
January 2021 marked a significant point in my journey. This time I was determined to make a change. I took part in Script Winter of Code (SWOC) and decided to contribute to HITK TECH Community.
During this time I managed to form a 4 step process that I always follow before contributing to a project.
Go to Project's Readme and look at what tech stack is being used and read the contributions.md file to know how to contribute.
Go to the "Issues" section and go through open issues.
Now go to closed Pull Requests and see how other developers have solved the closed issues.
Pick an issue I would like to work on and contribute.
The learnings
Open-source software has been an invaluable tool in my learning journey. I have used the resources to enhance my understanding of coding languages, build applications, and gain insights into different technologies. Additionally, the community aspect of these projects is especially helpful for newcomers like me as it provides a chance to interact with more experienced developers and ask questions.
This not only helped me learn new programming concepts but also learn from the mistakes others have made before me. I've been able to learn about new technologies and learn how to use them by working on open-source projects. I've also been able to learn by reading the code of other developers and seeing how they solve problems.
As I progressed with my journey I became familiar with various ways of contributing. Till now I have solved issues, pushed PRs, reviewed pull requests, and also written blogs.
The benefits
This is the main factor that attracts many toward open source. There are many benefits to working on open-source projects. One benefit is that it allows you to gain experience working on real-world projects that are used by many across the globe.
Another benefit is that it helps you build a portfolio of work that you can show to potential employers. I have a special section for open-source contributions to my resume and the interviewers were all really pleased to talk about them.
Collaboration is vital in open source because it allows me to work asynchronously with individuals in different parts of the world.
One of the best things about contributing to open source is the satisfaction of knowing that you are making an impact. It's great to know that your work is helping others and that you are playing a part in making the world a better place.
You can also find opportunities to speak at conferences and write blog posts about your experiences. In March of 2022, I was invited by GDG Berlin to speak at one of their online events and all of it was possible because I started contributing to open source.
In conclusion,
Currently, I am working on my open-source project Focusly and also contributing to the products I am using in my daily life. I hope this blog post has been helpful in showing how open source can make a positive impact on one's life.