Contributing to Open-Source Software.

The ins and outs.

I've always slept with one eye open when it comes to open-source software. I'm an avid user of too many open-source projects to count. But, I've never had the time or inclination to contribute in any way. I've seen my role as more of one out in the community creating content for others to consume.

It's hard to put into written word the effect that those who contribute their time and labor to open-source projects have upon the rest of us. Where would we be without them? Up a creek.

I decided to try my hand.

Well, I did it. I decided to take the plunge and contribute to a open-source project. I'm going to do two things.

• Explain the benefits you will gain from contributing.

• Let you watch me stumble through a simple, small, code contribution.

First, here is why you should find a project that you can relate too, and contribute.

1. It forces you out of your comfort zone.

2. It forces you to ask questions and be humble.

3. It makes your appreciate the hard work of others.

4. You will probably run into and learn new styles of coding and design.

5. It makes you think more about documentation and testing.

6. It teaches you to slow down and think.

7. You get to read lots of code and learn from others.

8. It gives you a sense of purpose and accomplishment that's hard to find elsewhere.

That's just to name a few. It isn't that hard to find projects that need help. If you write code you probably use 20 of them a day that have a long list of needs ranging from documentation to more complex tasks.

Go on GitHub, find some projects who's work you use, look at their list of open issues and find the ones marked “Good first issue.” Contact someone on the issue and go to town.

Still unsure of what it takes to contribute? Watch this video of me opening a small PR into an open-source project.