My Journey from Code Explorer to Open Source Contributor: 2024 Hacktoberfest

This is a submission for the 2024 Hacktoberfest Writing challenge: Contributor Experience

My Journey from Code Explorer to Open Source Contributor: 2024 Hacktoberfest

This is a submission for the 2024 Hacktoberfest Writing challenge: Contributor Experience.

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The term "Open Source" was a part of my vocabulary early in my coding journey, as was GitHub. Yet, contributing actively never felt like a step I was encouraged to take—until a webinar hosted by ISTE at Haldia Institute of Technology opened my eyes. They shared not only the importance of contributing to Open Source but also the exciting opportunities it offers developers to grow, learn, and even gain recognition. That single session was my "light bulb" moment, and from that day, my journey into Open Source began.

Setting Out: My First Steps in the Ocean of Code

The first few days of this journey felt like diving into an endless ocean of code. After the initial excitement, I found myself staring at vast repositories filled with complex codebases. But instead of rushing, I took a step back, studied the repository structure, navigated the issues, and researched using AI tools to gain insights. This methodical approach paid off. I learned how to understand issue requirements, the layout of repos, and how code contributions were expected to flow in each project.

Hacktoberfest: Taking the Leap

With Hacktoberfest approaching, I set myself a challenge: to push beyond the minimum four PRs and make a meaningful impact across multiple projects. In just two weeks, I contributed to several renowned repositories. My process was to thoroughly research, submit PRs, and actively seek feedback from maintainers. A few PRs required modifications, which were challenging but essential learning opportunities. By the end of two weeks, I had raised 10 PRs—far more than I initially imagined I could!

Here are some of the repositories I contributed to during Hacktoberfest:

• Gradle: https://github.com/gradle/gradle
• GuacSec Documentation: https://github.com/guacsec/guac-docs
• URLShortener: https://github.com/AvgBlank/URLShortener
• Configu: https://github.com/configu/configu
• QuickBlox Hacktoberfest Challenge: https://github.com/QuickBlox/quickblox-hacktoberfest-challenge
• Cadmi AI: https://github.com/Sohammhatre10/Cadmi_AI
• Gradle Cookbook: https://github.com/gradle/cookbook
• Easy Fix: https://github.com/vatsalsinghkv/easy-fix
• Gofr: https://github.com/gofr-dev/gofr
• QuestDB Documentation: https://github.com/questdb/documentation
• Aardwolf Social: https://github.com/Aardwolf-Social/aardwolf-social
• ISTE Contribution React: https://github.com/Arijit-017/ISTE-Contribution-React
• Flyte (No-Code Contribution): https://github.com/flyteorg/flyte
• Steampipe (No-Code Contribution): https://github.com/turbot/steampipe

Lessons Learned and Skills Gained

My Hacktoberfest experience was packed with learnings. The most significant takeaways were:

1. Patience and Persistence: Many contributions require a deep understanding of codebases and issues, often needing multiple iterations to get right.
2. Effective Communication: Tagging maintainers, seeking feedback, and updating PRs based on suggestions taught me the importance of clear, concise communication in Open Source.
3. Community and Collaboration: Open Source is, at its core, community-driven. Meeting fellow contributors and understanding their perspectives made me appreciate the collective spirit that keeps these projects alive.

Tips for Newcomers: Getting Started in Open Source

Are you new to Open Source and wondering how to make your first contribution? Here are some tips to get started:

1. Find Beginner-Friendly Repositories: Start with repositories that have tags like “good first issue” or “beginner-friendly.” These are often curated specifically for new contributors.
2. Start Small: Begin with small issues, such as documentation updates or minor bug fixes. This will help you get familiar with the project and build confidence.
3. Study the Repository Structure: Before jumping into code, take time to understand the structure of the repository. Read the documentation and navigate through the folders to understand where things are located.
4. Ask Questions: If you’re unsure about something, don’t hesitate to ask. Maintainers and other contributors are usually very welcoming and ready to help.
5. Follow Contribution Guidelines: Every project has its guidelines on contributing. Make sure to read them and follow all instructions to make the review process smoother.
6. Join Hacktoberfest: If you’re unsure where to start, participating in Hacktoberfest can provide structured goals and a supportive community to guide you.

The Future: GSoC and Beyond

The thrill of contributing, the satisfaction of raising PRs, and the welcoming feedback from the community have inspired me to continue even beyond Hacktoberfest. My next goal? To try my hand at cracking Google Summer of Code (GSoC). I feel ready to tackle bigger challenges, contribute to even more complex projects, and work alongside brilliant minds in the Open Source community.

Why Open Source Is Worth It: More Than Just Code

Participating in Open Source has opened doors to learn, grow, and even receive some amazing swags from projects I contributed to! But the true reward has been the journey itself—the challenges, the community, and the newfound confidence. This experience has left a fire in me to keep contributing, learning, and growing as a developer.

You can check out my GitHub and follow along with my journey here: https://github.com/abhirajadhikary06

Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve together in Open Source! 🚀