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What are the challenges of contributing to open source projects in different programming languages?

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Contributing to open source projects is a great way to learn new skills, collaborate with other developers, and improve the quality and diversity of software. However, it also comes with some challenges, especially when you work with different programming languages. In this article, we will explore some of the common difficulties and how to overcome them.

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Madona S. Wambua
Ansh Goyal

Former SWE Intern @Linkedin | GSoC'24 Mentor @AsyncAPI | LFX'23 @CNCF - Jaeger | GenAI | Open Source | IIIT-A CSE'25
Arjun Narain

Tech @ Razorpay

1 Language barriers

One of the most obvious challenges is the language barrier. Not only do you need to understand the syntax, semantics, and idioms of the programming language used by the project, but also the documentation, comments, and communication of the contributors. Some projects may use English as the default language, but others may prefer another language or have a mix of languages. To overcome this challenge, you need to be willing to learn the basics of the language, use online translators, and ask for clarification when needed.

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Madona S. Wambua
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This is very true, and that is why, when making an open-source contribution, you must look for projects you feel comfortable contributing to. Now, if you're still a beginner and learning, the best would be to identify why the open-source project you chose or want to contribute to is better for you. For instance, what is the impact, why are you passionate about it, and in the future, do you see yourself working with that stack? Overall, contributing to open-source is very rewarding in so many ways; it can help you get a job, you can become a maintainer and more. A note, though, in all projects, open-source or not, the learning curve if you're a beginner is always challenging, but we get better with time. So hang in there.

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2 Coding standards

Another challenge is the coding standards. Different projects may have different conventions and rules for formatting, naming, commenting, testing, and documenting their code. These standards help to ensure consistency, readability, and maintainability of the code. However, they may vary from one language to another, or even from one project to another within the same language. To overcome this challenge, you need to read and follow the guidelines provided by the project, use tools like linters and formatters, and respect the feedback from the reviewers.

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Ansh Goyal

Former SWE Intern @Linkedin | GSoC'24 Mentor @AsyncAPI | LFX'23 @CNCF - Jaeger | GenAI | Open Source | IIIT-A CSE'25
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I highly agree with this point. One example case is the formatting with prettier. Most of the projects use prettier to maintain their code style but I have encountered many projects which don't even care about that. Many new contributors face this challenge where they push the code with prettier format, but the maintainers often don't like that, if the rest of the code is not in that format.

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3 Dependencies and environments

A third challenge is the dependencies and environments. Different projects may rely on different libraries, frameworks, tools, and platforms to run their code. These dependencies and environments may have specific versions, configurations, and compatibility issues that affect the functionality and performance of the code. To overcome this challenge, you need to install and update the required dependencies, use tools like virtual environments and containers, and test your code in different scenarios.

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4 Contribution process

A fourth challenge is the contribution process. Different projects may have different workflows and policies for accepting, reviewing, and merging contributions. These processes may involve steps like creating issues, branching, committing, pushing, pulling, forking, cloning, requesting, and resolving. These steps may use different tools like version control systems, code hosting services, issue trackers, and code review platforms. To overcome this challenge, you need to understand and follow the instructions provided by the project, use tools like git and GitHub, and communicate with the maintainers and other contributors.

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Madona S. Wambua
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This is vital, and indeed, before submitting your first pull request, it's better to understand the entire project and take time to read through the processes. The other important rule before contributing to any open-source project is to understand or read the "how to contribute section" - this helps in 1. Ensuring your first proposal is not rejected 2. Creating that first-time good impression In addition to this, you can always reach out to the maintainers to understand the community better and build relationships.

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5 Community culture

A fifth challenge is the community culture. Different projects may have different values, norms, and expectations for their contributors. These aspects may influence the tone, style, and frequency of communication, the level of support and feedback, the recognition and reward, and the resolution of conflicts and disputes. To overcome this challenge, you need to be respectful, polite, and constructive, follow the code of conduct and etiquette, and appreciate the diversity and inclusivity of the community.

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6 Learning curve

A sixth challenge is the learning curve. Different projects may have different levels of complexity and difficulty for their contributors. Some projects may be more beginner-friendly and welcoming, while others may be more advanced and demanding. Some projects may have more documentation and resources, while others may have less or none. To overcome this challenge, you need to be realistic, patient, and persistent, choose the projects that match your interests and skills, and seek help and guidance when needed.

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Arjun Narain

Tech @ Razorpay
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Fear! That would be the biggest roadblock when contributing to any OS project. Due to fear, we treat an easier learning curve as a behemoth and its a domino! One thing leads to another and eventually, we are staring at a learning curve that is much smaller than we perceive it to be.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the challenges of contributing to open source projects in different programming languages?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Language barriers

2 Coding standards

3 Dependencies and environments

4 Contribution process

5 Community culture

6 Learning curve

7 Here’s what else to consider

Programming

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What are the challenges of contributing to open source projects in different programming languages?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Language barriers

2 Coding standards

3 Dependencies and environments

4 Contribution process

5 Community culture

6 Learning curve

7 Here’s what else to consider

Programming

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