Chapter 1: Getting started with Open Source
This chapter lays the foundation for everything that follows.
Before talking about tools, licenses, or repositories, it’s essential to understand what open source really is, why it exists, and how to approach it with the right expectations.
What Open Source Is (and Is Not)
Open source means that the source code of a project is publicly available and can be used, modified, and shared under specific conditions defined by a license.
But open source is not:
- just “code on GitHub”
- a free support channel
- a guarantee of quality
- a shortcut to success
Open source is a collaborative process built around shared ownership and public work.
Open source is less about code visibility and more about collaboration design.
Why Open Source Exists
Open source emerged from a simple idea:
Knowledge grows when it is shared.
Over time, it became a powerful way to:
- avoid duplicated work
- improve software quality through peer review
- build tools collectively
- enable global collaboration
- create shared infrastructure for the internet
Today, most modern software relies on open source at some level.
Why People and Organizations Use Open Source
Projects are open-sourced for many reasons:
- To learn in public
- To get feedback early
- To attract contributors
- To build trust and transparency
- To increase adoption
- To create ecosystems around tools
- To improve hiring and visibility
- To reduce long-term maintenance costs through shared effort
Different motivations lead to different project structures — something we’ll explore later.
A Mental Model for Open Source
Instead of thinking of open source as a “repository”, think of it as:
- a public workshop
- a shared responsibility
- a living system
- a long-term commitment
Publishing code is the beginning, not the end.
The Human Side of Open Source
Every open source project involves people:
- users
- contributors
- maintainers
- reviewers
- community members
This means:
- communication matters
- tone matters
- expectations matter
- documentation matters
Most open source problems are social problems, not technical ones.
Common Misconceptions
“My code isn’t ready”
Most open source projects start imperfect.
Clarity and honesty matter more than polish.
“Open source is only for experts”
Many valuable contributions don’t involve writing code at all.
“People will steal my idea”
Ideas are abundant. Sustaining a project is the real challenge.
“Once it’s open source, it runs itself”
Open source requires ongoing attention and care.
Your Role in Open Source
There is no single way to participate.
You might:
- use open source tools
- report issues
- improve documentation
- submit small fixes
- maintain a project
- design contributor experiences
Roles evolve naturally over time.
Setting the Right Expectations
Before going further, it’s important to understand that:
- open source is not instant validation
- growth is often slow at first
- contributors don’t appear automatically
- maintenance is real work
Approaching open source with realistic expectations leads to healthier projects and communities.
Reflection
Take a moment to consider:
- What attracts you to open source?
- Are you more interested in contributing, creating, or both?
- What kind of projects excite you?
You don’t need a final answer yet — this guide will help you refine it.
What Comes Next
In the next chapter, we’ll zoom out and look at open source as a system:
- how projects are structured
- how collaboration actually happens
- why some projects thrive and others stagnate
You've Completed Chapter 1
Well done! You've learned about getting started with open source.