Making Open Source Contributions

Introduction

Contributing to open-source projects is a great way to gain experience and give back to the community.

In this article, I have given you a step by step framework for making open source contributions and getting started with your Open Source journey.

This article is the Part 3 in my 3-article series on Version Control. You can read the Part 1 here which teaches you about Git Commands and the Part 2 here which teaches you how to create and merge pull requests on GitHub.

15 Step Process For Making Open Source Contributions

Step 1 : Select a Project
Choose an open-source project that interests you and aligns with your skills and expertise. You can explore platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket to find projects.

Step 2 : Set Up Version Control

If you haven't already, install Git on your local machine.
Configure Git with your name and email address using:

git config --global user.name "git_username"

git config --global user.email "git_email"

Step 3 : Create an Account on the Hosting Platform
Most open-source projects are hosted on platforms like GitHub. Create an account on the platform where the project is hosted.

Step 4 : Fork the Repository

Go to the project's repository on the hosting platform (e.g. GitHub).
Click the "Fork" button to create your own copy of the project in your GitHub account.

Step 5 : Clone Your Fork
Clone your forked repository to your local machine using the following command:

git clone <fork-url>

Step 6 : Set Up Upstream Remote
Add the original project repository as an "upstream" remote to keep your fork up to date. Use the following command:

git remote add upstream <original-repo-url>

Step 7 : Create a Feature Branch
Create a new feature branch for your contribution. It's a good practice to isolate your work. Use the following command:

git checkout -b feature-branch-name

Step 8 : Make Changes
Make the necessary changes to the code, following the project's contribution guidelines and coding standards.

Step 9 : Commit Changes

Add your changes to the staging area:

git add .

Commit your changes with a descriptive message:

git commit -m "Your commit message here"

Step 10 : Push Your Branch to Your Fork
Push your branch to your fork on the hosting platform:

git push origin <feature-branch-name>

Step 11 : Create a Pull Request

Go to your fork on the hosting platform.
Click the "New Pull Request" button.
Select the target branch in the original project repository where you want to merge your changes.
Provide a title and a detailed description of your changes.
If your pull request addresses a specific issue, reference it by using # (Ex - "Closes #123").
Submit the pull request.

Step 12 : Discuss and Review

Be prepared to engage in discussions with project maintainers and other contributors.
Address feedback and make additional changes as needed.

Step 13 : Merge Your Contribution
Once your pull request is approved, a project maintainer will merge your changes into the original repository.

Step 14 : Keep Your Fork Updated
Periodically sync your fork with the original repository to ensure your local and remote branches are up to date.

Step 15 : Continue Contributing
Congratulations! Your contribution has been successfully merged. Continue contributing to the project and explore other open-source projects that interest you.

Conclusion

Remember that each project may have its specific contribution guidelines and processes, so always check the project's documentation or CONTRIBUTING.md file for any project-specific instructions.

You can read other articles written by me through these links.

System Design Series
Introduction To Parallel Computing
Deep Dive Into Virtualization
Insights Into Distributed Computing

Cloud Computing Series
1. Cloud Service Models
2. Cloud Deployment Models
3. Cloud Security
4. Cloud Architecture
5. Cloud Storage
6. Networking In The Cloud
7. Cloud Cost Management
8. DevOps In Cloud & CI/CD
9. Serverless Computing
10. Container Orchestration
11. Cloud Migration
12. Cloud Monitoring & Management
13. Edge Computing In Cloud
14. Machine Learning In Cloud