How to contribute to open source project like selenium on github

Contributing to an open-source project like Selenium can be a rewarding experience, helping you improve your coding skills and collaborate with a global community. Here are the steps to effectively contribute to the Selenium project or any similar open-source project:

1. Familiarize Yourself with the Project

Understand the Project

• Read the Documentation: Go through the official Selenium documentation.
• Explore the Codebase: Browse the Selenium GitHub repository to get a sense of the project's structure and coding conventions.

Join the Community

• Mailing Lists: Join the Selenium users and developers mailing lists.
• Chat: Participate in discussions on the Selenium Slack channel.

2. Set Up Your Development Environment

Fork and Clone the Repository

1. Fork the Repository: Go to the Selenium GitHub repository and click the "Fork" button to create your own copy of the repository.
2. Clone Your Fork: Clone your fork to your local machine.

   git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/selenium.git
   cd selenium
   

Install Dependencies

• Java Development Kit (JDK): Selenium is primarily written in Java, so you need to install JDK (usually version 11 or later).
• Build Tool: Install Maven or Bazel, depending on the project's build configuration. Selenium uses both, but Bazel is preferred.
• Python Bindings: If you plan to work on Python bindings, make sure to have Python installed.

Build the Project

• Using Maven:

  mvn clean install
  

• Using Bazel:

  bazel build //java/... //py/...
  

3. Find an Issue to Work On

Browse Open Issues

• Check the Issues tab on GitHub to find something that interests you or matches your skill level.
• Look for issues labeled with good first issue or help wanted.

Ask for Guidance

• If you're unsure about an issue, comment on it to ask for clarification or guidance from the maintainers.

4. Make Your Changes

Create a New Branch

• Create a new branch for your changes to keep your work organized and separate from the main codebase.

  git checkout -b my-feature-branch
  

Make Your Changes

• Implement the necessary changes or fixes. Follow the project's coding conventions and guidelines.

Test Your Changes

• Ensure your changes do not break existing functionality by running the project's tests.

  bazel test //java/... //py/...
  

• Add new tests if you're adding a feature or fixing a bug.

5. Submit Your Contribution

Commit Your Changes

• Commit your changes with a clear and concise commit message.

  git add .
  git commit -m "Describe your changes"
  

Push to Your Fork

• Push your branch to your fork on GitHub.

  git push origin my-feature-branch
  

Open a Pull Request

• Go to the Selenium repository on GitHub and open a new pull request. Provide a clear description of your changes and link to any relevant issues.

6. Collaborate and Iterate

Respond to Feedback

• Maintainers and other contributors may review your pull request and provide feedback. Be responsive and make any necessary changes.

Stay Engaged

• Continue to participate in discussions and help others in the community. This builds your reputation and helps you learn more.

7. Celebrate Your Contribution

• Once your pull request is merged, celebrate your contribution! You've helped improve a widely used open-source project.