Hey everyone! I just graduated with a degree in Software Engineering and I'm really excited about diving into open source projects on GitHub. My skills include Python and I've worked with FastAPI, Flask, and Django. However, I'm feeling a bit lost. Whenever I explore repositories that catch my interest, I struggle to make sense of the code's structure and connections, leaving me overwhelmed about how to contribute. I wanted to ask if it's common for new folks like me to feel this way at first? How did you manage to navigate your way from feeling confused to being a confident contributor? Any tips, tricks, or recommendations for beginner-friendly projects to start with would be super appreciated. Thanks!
2 Answers
It's totally normal to feel overwhelmed when you're just starting out with complex codebases. A good way to tackle it is to set up your build environment and get everything running first. Then, try to fix some bugs from the project's issue list. Focus on one problem at a time; it's too much to expect to understand everything right away. You'll learn the most by digging into specific areas gradually.
Jumping into a new codebase can definitely be intimidating. Don’t worry, it takes time! I recommend starting with small changes and making sure you understand what each part does before expanding your knowledge outwards. Look into how the project installs and runs, then explore the simplest features. Remember, it’s a learning process—don't hesitate to take your time.
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