Free and open source is the foundation of software development, and it's built by people just like you. Discover the fundamental tenets that drive the movement. Take control of your career by selecting the right project to meet your professional goals. Master the language and avoid the pitfalls that typically ensnare new contributors. Join a community of like-minded people and change the world. Programmers, writers, designers, and everyone interested in software will make their mark through free and open source software contributions. Free and open source software is the default choice for the programming languages and technologies which run our world today, and it's all built and maintained by people just like you. No matter your skill level or area of expertise, with this book you will contribute to free and open source software projects. Using this practical approach you'll understand not only the mechanics of contributing, but also how doing so helps your career as well as the community. This book doesn't assume that you're a programmer, or even that you have prior experience with free and open source software. Learn what open source is, where it came from, and why it's important. Start on the right foot by mastering the structure and tools you need before you contribute. Choose the right project for you, amplifying the impact of your contribution. Submit your first contribution, whether it's code, writing, design, or community organising. Find out what to do when things don't go the way you expect. Discover how to start your own project and make it friendly and welcoming to contributors. Anyone can contribute! Make your mark today and help others while also helping yourself.
Author(s): VM (Vicky) Brasseur
Series: The Pragmatic Bookshelf
Publisher: The Pragmatic Programmers
Year: 2018
Language: English
Pages: 217
Tags: Open Source
Cover......Page 1
Table of Contents......Page 9
What’s NOT in This Book?......Page 13
Why Is This Book Not Openly Licensed?......Page 14
Credits......Page 15
Acknowledgments......Page 16
It’s About the People......Page 18
Free and Open Source Software Is Everywhere......Page 19
Other Open Movements......Page 21
The Origins of Free Software......Page 22
The Origins of Open Source......Page 23
Difference Between Free Software and Open Source......Page 25
An Aside About Terminology......Page 26
A Brief Introduction to Copyright and Licensing......Page 27
Types of Free and Open Source Software Licenses......Page 30
Now You Have a Strong Foundation......Page 31
FOSS Benefits to Your Skillset......Page 32
FOSS Benefits to Your Career......Page 37
FOSS Benefits to Your Personal Network......Page 39
Benefit from Preparation......Page 40
3. Prepare to Contribute......Page 41
Ways to Contribute......Page 42
Common Project and Community Roles......Page 43
Files You Should Know About Before You Start......Page 45
Common Communication Routes......Page 50
Contributor License Agreement/Developer Certificate of Origin......Page 52
You’re Ready to Find a Project......Page 53
Set Your Goals......Page 54
Collect Your Requirements......Page 57
Collect Candidate Projects......Page 60
Select a Project......Page 62
Select a Task......Page 64
What Is “Success”?......Page 66
Prepare for Your Contribution......Page 67
Craft Your Contribution......Page 71
Gotchas......Page 72
Clone and Branch......Page 73
Atomic Commits......Page 75
Test Your Contribution......Page 76
Submit Your Contribution......Page 78
Review, Revise, Collaborate......Page 82
Tidy Up......Page 84
Special Considerations for Windows-based Contributors......Page 85
There’s More to Contributing Than Just Code......Page 86
6. Make a Difference Without Making a Pull Request......Page 87
Review Contributions......Page 88
Provide Testing......Page 94
Triage Issues......Page 97
Volunteer for the Less Interesting Things......Page 99
There Are So Many Options......Page 100
After Your First Contribution......Page 101
Get Help......Page 104
General Tips for Participating in Discussions......Page 106
The Importance of Setting Up and Maintaining Expectations......Page 108
Communication Channels and How to Use Them......Page 109
Mailing List......Page 110
Issue Tracker......Page 116
Real-Time Chat......Page 121
Conference Call......Page 124
Only the Tip of the Iceberg......Page 125
Get Together......Page 126
Tips for Coping at a Conference or Meetup......Page 129
Form Your Own Meetup......Page 135
Moving up in the Community......Page 137
FOSS Is People......Page 139
Intimidated by FOSS’ Reputation......Page 140
Can’t Find a Project......Page 141
Company Policies......Page 142
Contribution Process Is Unclear......Page 145
Language Barriers......Page 147
Your Contribution Is Declined......Page 149
Community Problems......Page 151
Sometimes You’re the Problem......Page 159
How to Exit a Community......Page 161
You Don’t Have to Feel Trapped......Page 162
Quick Start Guide to Releasing Your Own Project......Page 164
What Is Your Goal?......Page 165
Optimize for Community......Page 166
Work in the Open......Page 168
Keep It Simple, Silly......Page 169
Select Communication Routes......Page 170
What About Issue Tracking?......Page 171
Styleguides......Page 172
Select a License......Page 173
How to Apply a License......Page 175
Publish the Project and You’re Done!......Page 179
Contributing to External FOSS Projects......Page 180
Contributing to Your Company’s FOSS Projects......Page 183
Convincing Your Employer to Support FOSS......Page 184
Forge Your Future......Page 191
A1. Glossary......Page 192
Bibliography......Page 207
– C –......Page 208
– F –......Page 209
– P –......Page 210
– W –......Page 211
