‘Dev’, short for ‘development’ in the world of computer science, refers to skills needed for web development. Now that you’re talking like a computer scientist, let’s take a closer look at how open source resources can boost your dev skills.
What Is Open Source?
Open-source software means its source code is open to anyone. Open source enables anyone to view the codebase, allowing you to make improvements by adding new features or fixing common problems. Open source is more than making the underlying code free and available. It’s about bringing developers together to find solutions and advance the industry.
Open source is not new and has been around for quite some time. The Linux operating system, Open Office, and Python Programming language are some of the famous open-source examples. You can access their original codes and update them with new extensions, solutions, or patches.
The use of open source has grown significantly in recent years and has become an essential resource for developers. It’s no surprise that newcomers to the field have continuously increased their interest in contributing to open-source projects. Open source communities are an excellent place for early developers to learn and network while also building a portfolio of their technical skills. Here’s how you can improve your dev skills with open source.
How Open Source Helps You Become a Better Developer
Open source helps you become a better developer by adding value to your skills. Contributing to open source takes time and effort, and here’s how it enables you to become a better developer.
1. Learn New Skills and Technologies
Developing your new open source project means using coding best practices to produce a better version of it. So, you will start learning how other developers are doing it by studying their open resource projects. These developers have different levels of experience, and learning from them improves your coding skills and experience.
2. Gain a Better Understanding of Feedback
Contributing to open source enhances your skills and helps you learn how to receive feedback. You will understand what works for others and use this information to improve your work. You will also handle criticism positively because coding involves constant improvements, and advice from others contributes to your success.
3. An Opportunity to Work on Your Idea
Open source offers you an opportunity to work on your idea by collaborating with developers worldwide with similar interests and building a team to make your vision a reality. Engaging the open source community goes beyond thinking independently, and you will get different perspectives that will help you develop a well-informed project.
4. Grow Your Reputation in the Open Source Community
The open source community offers you a platform where you can show off your skills and build your resume. Contributing to projects and mentoring others has both professional and personal benefits. Being involved and sharing your knowledge as a developer builds your reputation in the community, opening up networking and job opportunities
5. Learn Coding Guidelines and Standards
Every developer has a different preference and coding style, and working on a large open source project with many contributors may lead to inconsistencies. Due to this, the projects must adhere to specific standards to maintain consistency and meet industry guidelines. As a newcomer, you will learn the correct practices that developers follow worldwide.
6. Build Confidence in Your Abilities
Contributing to open source helps you become confident in your abilities. Seeing your progress on a project and understanding how your contribution will impact others gives you a sense of accomplishment. All the work you have put in is worth it because you have created value that other developers will appreciate.
Conclusion
As it stands, contributing to open source projects helps you improve your dev skills by finding mentorship and participating in new opportunities. Collaborating with others will help build your confidence, learn new technologies, build a reputation and bring your idea into reality. As you build your resume and portfolio, you will develop your coding skills per industry standards.