Contributing to Open Source: Make It a Habit!

Another year has come and gone, and open source continues to dominate the field of software development. Now what?

It’s easy to become complacent when things seem to only be going up, but with such a complex and diverse field as open source software development we know that there really isn’t any room for complacency. The issues raised last year regarding the security of FOSS was only one symptom of complacency; there could be more that have yet to arise.

If there’s one thing that’s consistently proven to prevent many already looming issues in open source, it’s contributions. Contributions to open source, from both new and old contributors, keeps the movement alive and keep projects at their best. They also prevent developer burnout from happening, which in turn prevents lapses and even discontinuation of a project.

So as a new year’s resolution, why not make contributing to open source a habit?

Start Slow

These days open source software has become so ubiquitous that just about anyone can get started contributing. It only takes a little bit of time each week, and while the gains aren’t always monetary, there is still a lot to be gained: experience, new skills and knowledge, even longterm career opportunities. And despite what most people think, contributions need not immediately come in code. In fact areas that are often neglected and are most in need of contributions are not areas that require code. They require documentation, software testing, feedback and marketing– contributions that are relatively easy and ideal for newcomers.

Contributing to open source projects is also not limited to individuals. If you’re part of a team or a company that relies on FOSS, you can always contribute as a team, a department, even an entire company. And it wouldn’t really be altruistic, because you rely on the software to keep your own business running. In this sense it’s really an investment in the tools your company uses.

Know What To Do

As enthusiastic as you may be to start contributing on a more regular basis however, it’s important to note that this is not something to be taken lightly. Of course you need to follow each project’s set of rules and guidelines, and if it’s your first time there may also be other unspoken rules you need to get acquainted with.

As the famous saying by JFK goes, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” so it should be with open source. For many developers, open source has been a jump off point to great careers in software development, and continues to be a helpful training ground and source of useful software. For all that open source software gives, it’s only right that we give back to it through contributions. It may only be an hour or two a day, but in the greater scheme of things it’s a substantial contribution that keeps a great, highly beneficial movement moving forward.