Beginner's Guide to Open Source Contribution
Tags: software, productivity
Published: 2023-10-16 09:23:16

Open source has revolutionized how we construct, collaborate on, and deploy software, and there is a wide variety of open-source projects across all technology areas. Many new developers are interested in contributing to open-source projects but are still determining where or how to begin. This guide is designed to assist such enthusiasts in taking the initial step.


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/rmjbcdknjqfh9155b6xf.png)
Before we get into the technicalities, it's important to understand what open source is all about. Basically, it's a place where developers from all over the world come together to create something for the benefit of the community. It's all about sharing, learning, and growing together, kind of like a group art project.

**Start by Using Open Source Software**
As with any project, the first step is to gain an understanding of your environment. Become familiar with the software you wish to contribute to. Utilize them, identify any problems or features you wish to see, and then begin your contribution journey.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ipaf3560n27s1jku1vre.jpg)

**Find the Right Project**

When you decide to get involved in contributing, it doesn't have to mean jumping into huge projects like Linux and React. Start small and look for projects that are smaller or labeled as 'good first issues'. Websites like First Timers Only or CodeTriage can help you find projects that are easy for beginners to get involved with.

**Setting Up and Making Contributions**

Once a problem has been identified, the following steps should be taken to address it:


- Open a pull request against the main project.

- Create a new branch for your feature or fix.

- Make your changes.

**Following the Contribution Guidelines**

It is important to note that every project has its own set of guidelines. These guidelines are typically found in the "CONFIDENTIALIZING.md" or "README.md" files. These guidelines may specify the code style, the format of the commit message, or any other process-specific requirements. Therefore, it is recommended that contributors read and follow these guidelines to guarantee that their contributions are accepted.

**A Beginner's Guide to Solving Complex Problems**

When you are faced with a complex open-source problem, a great way to approach it is by breaking it down into smaller parts. It's like a [painting by numbers](
https://numpaints.com/) art kit. Complex images are divided into numbered sections and each section is filled in with a color. Moreover, In open source, break the problem down into smaller, easier-to-understand parts and work through each part step by step. Not only that, this approach makes the problem easier to solve, but it also provides you with a clear path to the solution.

**Engaging with the process**

Last but not least, it is important to note that open source is not only about code. It is also about engaging with the community, discussing, and taking feedback. Therefore, it is essential to participate, contribute, gain knowledge, and develop.

To sum up, contributing to Open Source is a great way to develop your technical skills and broaden your knowledge by connecting you with other people around the world. Just like painting by numbers kit takes a lot of work to finish, every little bit you contribute to Open Source adds up to something great. So pick a project, get to work, and have fun coding!