How do you contribute to open source?

I have wondered this for a while now. I know a little C++ and I am learning Java now. How can people who know very little programming, or even none at all, contribute to open source software?

opensource ubuntu linux gnu contribute free software c++ java programming

asked Jun 08 '10 at 09:18

VorktanamoBay
16●4●4●7

4 Answers:

oldest newest most voted

Bug testing and learning how to trace bugs would be extremely insightful for a beginner programmer who wishes to contribute to open-source software.

answered Jun 08 '10 at 09:24

Seb
(suspended)

This is definitely the best way to contribute if you are a user rather than a developer. For all non-programmers, just reporting bugs is a great help!

(Sep 23 '10 at 22:51) AlanStryder

Even for beginner programmers, learning how to reproduce and trace bugs is important.

(Oct 04 '10 at 03:29) Seb

0	I will download the source code of software and mess around with it. Then I can make my own thing with it, or give it back to them. answered Jun 08 '10 at 09:20 Liam Quade 7.4k●92●121●197

0	Well if know what you want to do. Go to a place like Source Forge's Help Wanted Section. There should be some projects to there that need help. answered Sep 23 '10 at 21:51 Mab879 401●3●11

0	I document bugs and documentation errors for several open source projects during my free time, mainly because I use their software. I also assist with improving documentation. With certain bugs, I simply submit a source code patch. answered Oct 04 '10 at 05:05 Victor 2.0k●4●17●39

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