How I merged Five Pull Requests, Lose Sanity, and Laugh It Off

#hacktoberfest #opensource #hacktoberfestchallenge #devchallenge

This is a submission for the 2024 Hacktoberfest Writing challenge: Contributor Experience

When I started Hacktoberfest, I thought the real challenge would be the coding. Oh, how wrong I was. Turns out, finding a repository I could work on was the real adventure. Scrolling through issues and projects, wondering, “Can I even do this?” was practically a full-time job. Once I did find an issue, coding wasn’t too bad—until I hit the testing phase. Nothing quite like watching a build fail to keep you humble. 😅

But hey, somehow, I managed to get five PRs merged. 🎉 Maybe not the most groundbreaking work, but from my POV, each contribution added a little something to the repository. Below, I’ve broken down each of these PRs and the unexpected twists that came with them.

I can’t even describe how proud I am! 😄🙌

1. Feature/line clipping algorithms

PR: TheAlgorithms/Java#5580

Contribution Summary:

This was my first and biggest contribution, and it’s crazy to think this repo has nearly 60,000 stars! ⭐ This repository is a compilation of all algorithms implemented in Java. I quickly realized most algorithms I learned were already implemented, but then I remembered I’d tackled line clipping algorithms in my computer graphics exams. So, I jumped in and coded up Cohen-Sutherland and Liang-Barsky. Passing the tests, though? That was the real challenge! It took me an entire day (talk about a noob moment) to get everything to pass, but hey, it was a great learning experience—and I survived to tell the tale! 💪

Every time my pushed code shows a test failed error.

2. Feature/quote-to-image-maker

PR: JayShukla8/Quotes#140

Contribution Summary:

I stumbled upon this repository in a Discord server where everyone was busy contributing by adding quotes to the database. 💬 I noticed a demand for a tool to generate shareable quote images for social media. So, I decided to jump in and create a feature that lets users convert quotes into images for easy sharing. It even auto-adjusts the image for dark or light mode based on the theme—perfect for any time of day! 🌞🌜

3. Add tooltips to calculator buttons for improved user understanding

PR: Alitindrawan24/Binary-Calculator#140

Contribution Summary:

This one was a no-brainer! 🤓 While exploring the project, I struggled to figure out the functionality of each button. So, what did I do? I added tooltips to all the buttons to clarify their functions. Easy peasy! 🍋

4. Implement pause state in Breakout game

PR: DhanushNehru/breakout-game#53

Contribution Summary:

I discovered this project in a blog, and while the game was a ton of fun, I realized it was missing a crucial feature: a pause state. ⏸️ I mean, who doesn’t need a quick timeout now and then? So, I jumped in and added that pause functionality. I faced some tricky logic along the way, but in the end, it all came together nicely! 🎮

5. Implemented WeatherApp and updated README

PR: Janani-Balasooriya/Java-Beginner-Projects#28

Contribution Summary: This repository is a collection of simple Java projects, and I decided to tackle a Weather App. 🌦️ I developed a straightforward console-based application where users can get weather updates for their current location or any location they input. I made some API calls and did a bit of formatting to make it all work. It’s cleanly coded and modular, making it easy for new Java learners to grasp! 👩‍💻

Wrapping up my Hacktoberfest adventure, I’ve learned that coding can be chaotic but oh-so-rewarding! 🎢 From battling stubborn tests to adding cool features, each pull request was a mini victory. If you’re thinking about joining the open-source fun, do it! You’ll sharpen your skills and have a blast while doing it. Here’s to more bugs, features, and laughter—bring on next year’s Hacktoberfest! 🚀

A huge thank you to all the maintainers out there—your hard work and dedication make these contributions possible, and we are truly grateful! 🙌