Ask HN: How can a beginner start contributing to open source?

4 points by rochak 9y ago ↗ HN

I love programming, particularly solving problems using algorithms and data structures. I don't have a firm gasp over any language, but choose to work with C++, Java and Python. Whenever I try to get into open source, I realize the projects to be immensely big and very complex and end up looking for something simpler. But this goes on and on. So my question is, How can a beginner start his/her journey into the open source? What path would you recommend?

3 comments

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cubecul 9y ago ↗

I just hit publish on a post about this! The common guidance is to get started light and to start with the issues. Even the GSoC student at the repo I'm starting to get involved in started by reading as many issues as possible before diving in.

Here are two links to help you:

http://words.steveklabnik.com/how-to-be-an-open-source-garde... - Steve wrote a great post about how he gets started with a new project

http://peteh.me/an-easy-way-to-get-started-with-open-source-... - Here's my post about how I'm starting to get involved in open source without being great at coding

ggoerlich 9y ago ↗

Have a look at this github repo https://github.com/FreeCodeCamp/how-to-contribute-to-open-so...

mjhea0 9y ago ↗

Checkout Your First PR @ https://yourfirstpr.github.io/