Unlocking Opportunities: A Step-by-Step Guide to Gsoc 2024 and Open Source
Published: 2024-03-08 14:07:28

 



Google Summer of Code: A Comprehensive Guide
Google Summer of Code (GSoC) is an annual global program that provides summer stipends to students who complete a free and open-source software coding project. This article aims to provide a clear and SEO-friendly overview of the program, its process, and how to get started.

What is Open Source and Why?
Open-source software is accessible to everyone and is licensed to include the source code and uses an open development process. Open-source software development offers transparency, real-time records of changes, consolidation of brilliant ideas, and encourages contribution and teamwork.

How GSoC Works?
1. Open-Source organizations apply to the program.

2. Google announces the shortlisted organizations.

3. The application portal for students to apply for organizations opens.

4. Students get informed about their selection.

5. Community bonding and coding period starts.

6. Google announces the names of the selected students.

 

Contributions in GSoC
Contributions in GSoC include coding (fixing bugs and developing new features), documentation (improving or updating software documentation), outreach/research (researching use cases, suggesting features, and reporting bugs), and quality assurance (keeping the code clean and maintaining its quality).

Getting Started
1. Familiarize yourself with open-source technologies and version control systems like Git.

2. Choose an open-source organization that suits your interests and skills.

3. Reach out to the organization's community for guidance on getting started.

4. Contribute to the organization's projects and show your active participation.

5. Apply for the program and wait for your proposal to be accepted.

 

 Prerequisites
1. Good command over at least one programming language.

2. Familiarity with version control systems.

3. Experience with Linux or UNIX-based operating systems.

 

Things to Note
1. Be patient and persistent.

2. Ask cool questions in the community.

3. Don't give up and keep trying.

Perks of GSoC
1. Decent stipends and goodies.

2. Swags from Google.

 How to Participate in GSoC and What to Expect from It?
Google Summer of Code (GSoC) is a program that supports open source projects by funding contributors from around the world. In this article, you will learn how to apply to GSoC, what happens after you get selected, and what's new in GSoC 2022.

 How to Apply to GSoC?
To apply to GSoC, you need to submit a project proposal to one of the participating organizations. You can find the list of organizations on the GSoC website. Your proposal should include the following information:

- A brief introduction of yourself and your background
- A description of the project idea and why you are interested in it
- A timeline of the tasks and milestones you plan to achieve
- A demonstration of your skills and previous work related to the project
- A summary of the benefits and challenges of the project

Your proposal should be clear, concise, and convincing. It should show that you have done your research and that you are passionate about the project. You should also communicate with the organization and get feedback on your proposal before submitting it.

What Happens After You Get Selected?
If your proposal is accepted, you will receive an email from GSoC congratulating you. You have just joined a prestigious program that will boost your skills and network. For the next few weeks, you will have a community bonding period. This is when you get to know your mentors and fellow contributors.

You might also start planning or prototyping your project. If you had made any personal commitments before applying to GSoC, you might have to rearrange them. Make a realistic schedule for the upcoming months and set clear goals. Keep exploring different projects and organizations, so that you can apply again next year if you want.

The coding period begins after the community bonding period. It is divided into two phases, each with a major deliverable. You have to plan carefully for each phase and meet your weekly targets.

The first phase lasts for about 4 to 5 weeks. You have to complete your first deliverable before the first evaluation. Your mentor will review your work and submit your evaluation to the GSoC team. If you pass the evaluation, you will receive 45% of your stipend. This marks the end of the first phase.

The second phase lasts for about 6 to 8 weeks. You have to work on your second deliverable and finish your project. You also have to document, test, demo, and hand over your project to the organization. Your mentor will assess your performance and submit your evaluation to the GSoC team. This marks the end of the coding period.

Your organization will then decide whether your project was successful or not. If it was, you will receive the remaining 55% of your stipend.

 What's New in GSoC 2024?
GSoC has been running for 19 years, and it has always been focused on university students. The goal was to give them some industry experience in the summer and prepare them for real-world software development.

But in 2024, GSoC has changed its eligibility criteria. Now anyone who code can apply to the program, regardless of their age, education, or career status. You can be a student, a working professional, a retired veteran, or anything in between.

Another new feature in GSoC 2024 is the introduction of two project sizes: medium and large. A medium project would require about 175 hours of work, and a large project would require about 350 hours of work. Previously, you had to do a large project for 12 weeks.

In a blog post, Stephanie Taylor, the Program Manager of Google Open Source, explains what is new in GSoC 2022 and the rationale behind it.

We realize there are many folks that could benefit from the GSoC program that are at various stages of their career, recent career changers, self-taught, those returning to the workforce, etc. so we wanted to allow these folks the opportunity to participate in GSoC. – Stephanie Taylor, Program Manager, Google Open Source

You can also extend your project for a few more weeks if your organization agrees. This gives you more flexibility and time to complete your project.

Conclusion
GSoC is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to contribute to open source projects and learn from experienced mentors. It is a competitive and rewarding program that can help you improve your skills, build your portfolio, and make a positive impact on the world. If you are interested in applying to GSoC, you should start preparing your project proposal now and submit it before the deadline. Good luck!