Hello 👋 readers! , I hope you are all doing great. I am writing this blog to share my experience with you on my first Hacktoberfest ✨ I hope you enjoy it! 😊

What is Hacktoberfest is all about?

The most awaited event during October for open source enthusiasts is the Hacktoberfest! Hacktoberfest is an annual event by Digital Ocean that encourages people to contribute to open source. It isn't about just contributing to different projects, but it is also about collaborating and meeting different kinds of people whom you can share interests with and learn from.

To participate in the event, you must register between September 26 and October 31; submit at least four pull requests (PRs) to a GitHub or GitLab project; and then participants can get prizes for their contributions to open-source projects if their four pull/merge requests are accepted. The first 50,000 participants whose 4 pull/merge requests are accepted will get digital Holopin rewards and a tree planted in their name through Tree Nation in Hacktoberfest 2023. Of course, it's not just about the prize , it's about helping those open-source projects significantly.

🎊 My Experience in Hacktoberfest

📌Discovering Hacktoberfest

My experience at Hacktoberfest was incredible. I feel all the excitement, anticipation, nervousness, and confusion. I first learned about Hacktoberfest in August 2023, when I began contributing to open source in EddieHub, At first, I thought it was all about hacking. Because you know, 'Hack'toberfest. So, I just dismissed it since I don't know anything about hacking. However, as time goes by, I keep on seeing Hacktoberfest. My curiosity kicked in, and I started my research. I felt amazed and motivated by what I discovered, as I see this as an opportunity for me and everybody to learn more about open source. Seeing that this is an annual event, made me realize what impact open source has brought to people. That's where my open-source journey begins.

Journey in Open Source

My first GitHub interaction was last December 2022. I first learned about Git, GitHub, and GitHub Desktop from YouTube. However, I still don't get how things work, so I did nothing for a month on GitHub. Then, after a month, I started to work on a project and I was using GitHub Desktop. This is where I started to learn Git by using GitHub Desktop.

📌 Hacktoberfest Experience

As soon as the registration opened for the Hacktoberfest, I immediately registered for it. I was very excited and I can't help but look at the website constantly. The UI of the website is so beautiful. Kudos to the one who made it. 👏 On the first day, for the first time in a long time, I slept late around 2 am. I usually don't sleep later than 11 : 30 pm. That day, I was very busy finding projects where I could contribute and learn more. I was able to make 4 PRs that have been approved by the project maintainer on the 3rd day of October. I know it was crazy but it was not a smooth ride. I have 2 PRs that were excluded along the way. Fortunately, I was able to contribute 3 more. Thus, it is important to review a project very well before contributing to it.

🎗️ Benefits of Participation:

Participating in Hacktoberfest offers various advantages, including:

Learning: You'll gain new skills and insights by collaborating with other developers.
Portfolio Building: Your contributions become part of your portfolio.
Networking: You'll connect with like-minded individuals and professionals in the open-source community.

Additionally, this year, Hacktoberfest introduced some exciting new perks:

Tree Planting: In collaboration with Tree-Nation, the first 50,000 contributors had the chance to plant a tree. It's a meaningful way to contribute not only to open source but also to the environment.
Digital Swag Kit: Unlike previous years, physical swag is not being sent, but participants receive a digital swag kit. This kit includes cool badges and digital rewards, allowing you to show off your achievements in the digital world.

These added incentives make your participation in Hacktoberfest even more rewarding.

✍️ Points to remember:

Respect maintainers and the project's coding standards. Always strive to maintain the project's quality.
Being part of the open-source community is rewarding. The connections you make can lead to new opportunities and friendships.

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, Hacktoberfest is more than a challenge, it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the open-source world, grow as a developer, and make a positive impact on the community. Remember to contribute thoughtfully, communicate effectively, and embrace the journey.

Don't miss out on the chance to be part of the Hacktoberfest community. Whether you're new to open source or an experienced contributor, there's a place for you.

My First Hacktoberfest Experience

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