Want to learn programming? Contribute to open source.

#beginners #opensource #learning #github

I contributed to my first open source project in 2 years yesterday.

Open source is hard if you don't know what you're doing.

I didn't know what I was doing.

I made several mistakes including but not limited to:

Screwing up my package management and not having the proper version of Node for the project.
Getting lost in the Git workflow, which is one of the only easy things about Git that I have encountered.
Getting discouraged to the point of tears.

Thankfully I am part of an awesome online community of developers: https://virtualcoffee.io

I know I would have given up if it hadn't been for the kindness of the people involved with this group.

Incidentally this months challenge for Virtual Coffee is Community Kindness.

I would say throughout my ordeal this quality was exemplified.

This is to say, open source contributions are about more than all the crazy esoteric steps involved. It is a real chance to build community and connect with others.

Thanks, VC, you the real MVP.