Getting involved

Bellum · 2012-01-13 22:19:02

So I've had a couple semesters of introductory programming, but I'm mostly self-taught. I've never written anything more than 2k lines, I'm at a point where it's difficult to learn more without having real problems to solve and working with other people and their code. I'd like to get involved contributing to open source projects, but I'm not sure where to start or where someone of my limited experience could be useful rather than getting in the way.

Anyone got any advice for us newbies?

Trilby · 2012-01-13 22:27:14

Also being a programming newbie/hobbiest, I just look around for tools I'd want that don't seem to exist - then I try to make them.

Last year I made a console (curses) based spreadsheet (csv) editor. While it's still *very* rough around the edges I was using it on a daily basis. Now I've learned to use vim for these files, so that project is - for the time being - on moth balls.

I also make many data graphs - for quick review of data I'll use R (statistical package) for graphing. But for publication and presentation quality graphs I recreate them in an svg format. I'm now working on an svg graph maker to take data sets and make nice looking *simple* svg files.

I say simple as there are already many tools that will convert data or graphs in various formats to svgs, but they make extensive and ugly use of svg 'paths' which generates enormous hard to edit files. My version is targeted to be 'smarter' if a bit more limited in it's capabilities.

It's been said that most good software comes from a developer scratching their own personal itch. Look around at what you do and think what would make your life easier ... then make it. If it's useful for you, odds are it would be useful for at least some other people.

Last edited by Trilby (2012-01-13 22:28:10)

Trilby · 2012-01-13 22:29:49

From a different angle, I recently looked at the code for Tiny Window Manager ... it really is VERY TINY. I am tempted to tinker around with that to make my own WM just for the fun of it.

It wouldn't serve much purpose as openbox is everything I'd want and nothing I don't - so at best I'd duplicate that.

karol · 2012-01-14 05:58:19

You can start contributing patches and bug fixes to any project you stumble upon. Be sure to read e.g. http://www.archlinux.org/pacman/HACKING.html or similar rules and guides and don't be offended when/if the seasoned devs tell you your patch is not good enough. You may get some hnts on how to make it better or conforming to the styleguide used in that particular project.

nsb · 2012-01-14 16:28:58

Trilby wrote:

I also make many data graphs - for quick review of data I'll use R (statistical package) for graphing. But for publication and presentation quality graphs I recreate them in an svg format. I'm now working on an svg graph maker to take data sets and make nice looking *simple* svg files.

A bit off topic: But what do you use to create the svg files? I too use R a lot the create graphs, but the generated files seem always quite big, when compared to e.g. gnuplot.

Trilby · 2012-01-14 16:52:16

I just use a text editor. Vim in my case. I've started a thread here to continue the svg topic.

Arch Linux

#1 2012-01-13 22:19:02

Getting involved

#2 2012-01-13 22:27:14

Re: Getting involved

#3 2012-01-13 22:29:49

Re: Getting involved

#4 2012-01-14 05:58:19

Re: Getting involved

#5 2012-01-14 16:28:58

Re: Getting involved

#6 2012-01-14 16:52:16

Re: Getting involved

Board footer