Hosting open source projects on GitHub: Nine things you need to know

Open source software has revolutionized the world of software development and technology. It has become the backbone of the digital economy, driving innovation and enabling technological advancements that improve our daily lives. Open source software powers everything from the internet and mobile apps to operating systems and programming languages, making it the lifeblood of the technology industry. This was no accident. For open source to flourish as it has done, some powerful tooling was needed to manage contributions.

One of the most popular platforms for open source development is GitHub. With various tools to support open source development and project management, GitHub offers an ideal collaboration and code-sharing environment. However, hosting open source projects on GitHub requires some knowledge and skills. 

To aid in this effort, Dr. Ibrahim Haddad, Linux Foundation Vice President of Strategic Programs (AI & Data), recently published a guide with Linux Foundation Research, Recommended Practices for Hosting and Managing Open Source Projects on GitHub. 

By following these best practices in his report, developers can improve their projects' organization, understandability, and collaboration on GitHub, making it easier for other developers to adopt and contribute. Here are nine things developers need to ensure their success:

Documentation

Documentation is an essential component of open source projects on GitHub. It should clearly understand the project's purpose, code, and usage. It should also provide clear instructions and guidelines for contributions. Documentation can take many forms, including a README file in the project's root directory, a wiki page, or a website. A well-documented project makes it easy for developers to understand the codebase and navigate through the project, making it more accessible to contributors.

User Support

Managing user support is a critical component of open source projects on GitHub. It involves managing communication channels, including issue trackers, feedback platforms, and community forums. Managing user support is important because it allows users to report issues and provide feedback. It also helps developers to identify and fix issues quickly, improving the overall quality of the project.

Security

Protecting project code is an essential part of open source development. GitHub provides a range of security features, including two-factor authentication, access control, code reviews, and scanning tools. These features help to protect the project from unauthorized access and malicious code. Ensuring that the project is secure is critical for maintaining the trust of contributors and users.

Licensing

Choosing the right license is an essential part of open source development. The license determines how users can use, modify, and share the code. There are many open source licenses available, and it is essential to choose one that meets the project's needs. It is recommended to select a license approved by the Open Source Initiative (OSI). Providing accurate licensing information is crucial for open source projects hosted on GitHub, as it ensures that users can use the code legally.

Language

English is the most widely spoken and understood language worldwide, making it the best language for writing GitHub content or communications. It ensures that contributors and users worldwide can easily understand the project's purpose, code, and guidelines.

Core Open Source Principles

The core open source principles of peer review, releasing early and often, and continuous testing and integration are essential for creating collaborative and transparent projects that benefit everyone. Peer review ensures that the code meets the required standards, while releasing early and often provides a way for users to provide feedback and for developers to identify and fix issues quickly. Continuous testing and integration ensure the code remains stable and functional throughout development.

Git

Git, the version control of GitHub, is an essential tool for open source development. It allows developers to keep track of code changes over time, making identifying and fixing issues easy. Git allows developers to collaborate on code and maintain a history of the project's development.

Developer Certificate of Origin (DCO)

The Developer Certificate of Origin (DCO) is a way for developers to certify that their contributions to the project are their own and that they have the necessary rights to submit the code. The DCO allows developers to confirm their legitimate contributions, reducing the risk of copyright infringement and other legal issues. The DCO is often used in conjunction with the open source license to ensure that the code is used and distributed appropriately.

Contributor License Agreement (CLA)

The Contributor License Agreement (CLA) is a legal agreement between a developer and the project owner or maintainer. The CLA outlines the terms and conditions for contributions and ensures that the project has the necessary rights to use and distribute the code. The CLA allows the project owner or maintainer to manage contributions and ensure that the code is used and distributed appropriately.

GitHub is an excellent platform for hosting open source projects. By following the best practices outlined above, developers can improve the organization, understandability, and collaboration of their projects on GitHub, making it easier for other developers to adopt and contribute. 

Documentation, user support, security features, licensing, language choice, core open source principles, Git, DCO, and CLA are all critical factors that developers should consider when hosting open-source projects on GitHub. The open source community thrives on collaboration, and by following these best practices, developers can create transparent, collaborative projects that benefit everyone.