My First Contribution to Open Source: A Journey of Learning and Growth

# My First Contribution to Open Source: A Journey of Learning and Growth Open source is not just about code; it’s about collaboration, learning, and giving back to the community. Recently, I embarked on my open-source journey by contributing to the [WasmEdge](https://github.com/WasmEdge) project. This experience has been incredibly rewarding, and I’d like to share my story, the challenges I faced, and the lessons I have learned along the way. As a **Systems Architect** with over a decade of experience in IT and a proud [CNCF Kubestronaut](https://www.cncf.io/training/kubestronaut/?p=abdelkoddous-lhajouji), I am deeply committed to cloud-native technologies and open source. These roles have fueled my passion for engaging with the community and finding innovative solutions to complex challenges. ## Why I Chose to Contribute Contributing to open source felt like a natural step in my journey. It offered a unique opportunity to: - Enhance my technical skills by solving real-world problems. - Engage with a vibrant and supportive community. - Build meaningful connections within the cloud-native ecosystem. - Give back to projects that have significantly influenced my professional growth. When I came across an issue in WasmEdge’s install script, specifically the need to add support for Windows 10 ([#3920](https://github.com/WasmEdge/WasmEdge/issues/3920)), I saw it as the perfect opportunity to start my contribution journey. ## Taking the First Step Starting out felt intimidating. I asked myself, *“How can I contribute to such a large and impactful project?”* Here’s what helped me take the leap: 1. **Leaning on My Experience:** My background as a Systems Architect gave me the confidence to approach technical challenges methodically and break them into manageable tasks. 2. **Learning About the Project:** I invested time in understanding WasmEdge’s documentation and community guidelines. 3. **Choosing an Issue:** I selected an issue within my skill set, adding support for Windows 10. 4. **Connecting with the Community:** I joined WasmEdge’s Discord and Slack channels, where I received valuable guidance and felt immediately welcomed by the team. ## Overcoming Challenges While the experience was rewarding, it was not without its challenges: - **Understanding the Codebase:** Diving into a new codebase required time and patience, but focusing on my specific task made it manageable. - **Effective Communication:** Open source thrives on collaboration. I made a conscious effort to share updates regularly and seek feedback. - **Thorough Testing:** Since my task involved Windows compatibility, meticulous testing was essential to ensure everything worked seamlessly. ## My First Pull Request After completing the task, I submitted my first pull request ([#3925](https://github.com/WasmEdge/WasmEdge/pull/3925)) to WasmEdge. The maintainers provided constructive feedback that helped me refine my work. On December 27, 2024, my pull request was merged! This milestone was not just a technical achievement but a reflection of the collaborative and inclusive spirit of the WasmEdge community. Their acknowledgment, both in their repository and on social media, highlighted the value they place on new contributors. ## Key Lessons Learned Through this experience, I’ve learned several valuable lessons: - **Start Small:** Begin with manageable tasks like fixing bugs or typos to familiarize yourself with the project. - **Ask Questions:** The community is there to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out. - **Be Patient:** Reviews take time but are essential for learning and growth. - **Celebrate Milestones:** Every contribution, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. ## Sharing My Experience Sharing this journey has been just as fulfilling as the contribution itself. I shared my story on LinkedIn, and it was encouraging to see WasmEdge amplify my efforts on their social media platforms. Writing this blog is another way for me to inspire others to take their first steps into open source. ## Looking Ahead This initial contribution has fueled my enthusiasm for open source. My goals moving forward include: - Tackling more complex issues that challenge my technical skills. - Enhancing documentation to make it easier for new contributors to get started. - Sharing knowledge through blogs, talks, and mentoring to give back to the community. ## Final Thoughts Contributing to open source isn’t just about writing code. It’s about being part of a global movement to build and innovate together. The WasmEdge project and its welcoming community have made this journey unforgettable. If you’re considering contributing to open source, take the first step. You will not regret it. If you’re interested in WasmEdge or have questions about starting your open-source journey, feel free to reach out. Let’s build something amazing together! --- **Author Bio:** I am a Systems Architect with over 10 years of experience in IT and a proud [CNCF Kubestronaut](https://www.cncf.io/training/kubestronaut/?p=abdelkoddous-lhajouji). Passionate about cloud-native technologies, I focus on contributing to open-source projects and engaging with the Kubernetes community. Connect with me on [GitHub](https://github.com/lhajouji) or [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhajouji/).