The Beginner’s Guide to Open Source, Part 3: 6 Tips For A Great Open Source Contribution
Blog post from New Relic
Contributing to open source projects offers a valuable opportunity to enhance skills, engage with new communities, and collaborate in an open environment, though it can be challenging without adherence to guidelines. This article provides six key tips to assist new contributors in making effective and meaningful contributions: ensure the contribution is needed, solve one problem at a time, understand project guidelines, aim for full test coverage, document changes thoroughly, and seek a review before submitting a pull request. By following these tips, contributors can navigate the complexities of open source projects more easily and productively, and in doing so, give back to the community that supports collective development. The article also highlights the importance of clear communication, adherence to project standards, and the benefits of contributing to open source initiatives like those at New Relic, while reminding readers that these strategies are just a starting point for successful contributions.