Open-Source Software is a type of software whose code is publicly available to use and modify. Open-Source Contribution involves contributing to the development or improvement of open-source software.
Since open-source contribution requires you to read/write code if you want to be involved in its development, you are required to learn a programming language to get started. You can get started with any language of your choice. You can easily learn another language at a later stage if a project requires it.
GitHub is a code hosting platform for collaboration using the Git Version Control System.
In layman’s term, it is the place where you keep all your projects and multiple people can work together on those projects.
Ways to Contribute in any OpenSource Project
There are a lot of things that you could do to start your journey in open source.you can start contributing by:
• Creating your own opensource projects.
• Contributing to existing opensource project.
• OpenSource Events
GirlScript Summer of Code is a 3 month long Open Source program during summers conducted by GirlScript Foundation, started in 2018, to help beginners get started with Open Source Development while encouraging diversity. Note that it is open to everyone and not just girls as the program name might suggest.
Outreachy (previously the Free and Open Source Software Outreach Program for Women) is a program that organizes three-month paid internships with free and open-source software projects. It is for people who are typically underrepresented in those projects. This is generally carried out biannual throughout the year.
Rails Girls Summer of Code is a global fellowship program aimed at bringing more diversity into Open Source. Successful applicants are paid a monthly stipend, from July-September, to work on Open Source projects of their choice.
The MLH Fellowship is an internship alternative for software engineers. Instead of working on a project for just one company, selected candidates contribute to Open Source projects that are used by companies around the world and are paid a competitive stipend during this tenure.