DEV Community

Cover image for Open Source Repositories
Lorenzo Zarantonello
Lorenzo Zarantonello

Posted on • Edited on

Open Source Repositories

When I started coding, the idea of contributing to open source code was pretty intimidating.

Like, can I really change your code and you don't mind? What if I screw up? How do I even find where to contribute?

Only later I understood that some of the questions were due to my lack of understanding. However, finding repositories to contribute is often casual rather than intentional.

So, here is a list of repositories you might find interesting.

  1. For Beginners & First Contributors
  2. Other Repositories
  3. Big Repos In Tech
  4. From The Community
  5. How To Contribute

Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments

For Beginners & First Contributors

  • Firstcontributions. This is where you want to start with open source! They even list other open source projects.
  • Up-for-grabs. This is a list of projects which have curated tasks specifically for new contributors.
  • Good First Issues. A list of projects that have simple issues for newcomers.
  • goodfirstissue.dev. Another list of projects that have simple issues for newcomers.

Developers working together

Other Repositories

In no particular order:

  • Freecodecamp, you can contribute with code and with translations
  • ReactPlay, a growing platforms that describe itself as "An Opensource platform for React developers to learn, create and share ReactJS Projects."
  • Coding Interview University
  • Forem Self-Host. You should probably know Forem. But in case you don't, just know that DEV is hosted on it.
  • EbookFoundation. By contributing to this repo you hlp their mission: "Making the world safe for free ebooks."
  • The Algorithms. This is an "Open Source resource for learning Data Structures & Algorithms and their implementation in any Programming Language". Therefore, you can contribute across many different languages and learn something about Data Structures & Algorithms.
  • Project-based learning. list of programming tutorials in different languages.
  • Public APIs. Described as "A collective list of free APIs for use in software and web development"
  • Developer Roadmap. I am sure many of you have seen pictures of "The Roadmap to Learn XYZ". Here is a way to contribute or interact with a roadmap just for you.
  • Professional Programming. As reported, The goal of this page is to make you a more proficient developer. If you have excellent resources, you can try to open a PR and include them here. But in any csae, I wanted to include this because it seems super interesting.
  • The System Design Primer. Another epic learning resource that could benefit from your help.
  • Every Programmer Should Know. A collection of (mostly) technical things every software developer should know. Backed by a community of developers, of course.
  • Build your own X. Learn how to re-create some tech following step-by-step guides.
  • List of Free Learning Resources In Many Languages. Once again, you can learn and contribute.
  • Awesome. This is simply awesome. A list of lists of resources. I should remind you that your time on this planet is limited. Most likely you won't be able to read everything.
  • CodeTriage. Another list of open-source projects by open issues. The intent is clear: "Help out your favorite open source projects and become a better developer while doing it."

Big Repos In Tech

List of big names, by starred, open for contribution. This is not exaustive.

From The Community

In no particular order:

  • @verisimilitude11 - DNAnalyzer offers both code and no-code contributions opportunities.
  • @ecyrbe - Zodios | End-to-end typesafe REST API toolbox. You can simply start by trying it and fix any bug you find. Read the comments for more ideas!
  • @aatmaj - Basic Memory Game
  • @rocambille - Enrich your objects with Elo rating. Contribute with typescript and unit tests.
  • @renhiyama - Reejs wants you to "Make Sites Faster, without the need of building anything!"
  • @andypiper - awesome-modern-twitter-api. This is an Awesome List, so, in the words of Andy, "it’s low code (mostly a markdown document to add to or improve); but it does require a level of interest in the relevant topic, and ideally some testing"

  • Your Project? Drop a message in the comments and I will add it as long as it is not going to be monetized.

How to contribute

Here is a nice article that explains how to contribute to open source projects.

Top comments (8)

Collapse
 
jasuperior profile image
Ja

Thanks! I've been wanting to contribute more to open source, but i always get paralyzed by the "where should i even start". Its a bit overwhelming tbh.

Note: I have actually contributed once to typescript. small change for a bug i now forget (I'll look it up on my github now that I'm mentioning it), but I felt like a million bucks. lol.

Collapse
 
ecyrbe profile image
ecyrbe

Thank you for mentioning zodios. Contributions are welcomed.
Ideas for contributors :

  • autogenerate mocks from zodios api definition
  • openid connect plugin for github/Google/twitter, etc auth
  • try it and fix any bug you find
Collapse
 
lorenzojkrl profile image
Lorenzo Zarantonello

Updated! Thanks:)

Collapse
 
aatmaj profile image
Aatmaj

πŸ‘πŸ» Here is the link to my repo github.com/Aatmaj-Zephyr/Basic-mem...

Collapse
 
lorenzojkrl profile image
Lorenzo Zarantonello

Updated thanks!

Collapse
 
verisimilitudex profile image
Piyush Acharya

Thanks for supporting DNAnalyzer @lorenzojkrl! For new users interested in contributing, we have both no-code, and code contributions available: github.com/Verisimilitude11/DNAnal...

Collapse
 
lorenzojkrl profile image
Lorenzo Zarantonello

You're welcome! I updated the post.

Collapse
 
aatmaj profile image
Aatmaj

πŸ‘πŸ»