My first Article on GSoC'25

Introduction

Hello there, myself Abhishek Farshwal. I am a 2nd-year student at Polaris School of Technology (PST). I am passionate about open-source development, full-stack development, and DSA.

Introduction to GSoC

Google Summer of Code (GSoC) is a global program that connects students and open-source organizations. Participants contribute to projects under the guidance of experienced mentors while receiving stipends from Google. The goal is to introduce more developers to open-source software and help them gain valuable experience.

Discovering GSoC

I first learned about GSoC through various tech communities and social media platforms. The idea of contributing to an open-source project while being mentored by professionals intrigued me. I explored past projects and organization lists from previous years to understand the scope of the program.

My GSoC Journey

As I am currently exploring GSoC, I have been focusing on understanding how the program works and preparing myself for future participation. Here’s what I have been doing:

Exploring Organizations and Projects

One of the crucial steps in preparing for GSoC is selecting the right organization and project. I am considering the following factors:

• Interest and Skills: Picking projects that align with my technical expertise and interests.

• Community Support: Engaging with active communities with helpful mentors to enhance my learning experience.

• Project Impact: Aiming for a project that provides value to the open-source community.

I have been actively participating in organizations' communication channels, such as mailing lists, Discord servers, and GitHub discussions.

Preparing for Application

Even though I haven’t applied yet, I am preparing by:

• Understanding Open-Source Contributions: Exploring project documentation and previous contributions.

• Making Initial Contributions: Submitting small bug fixes and improvements to build familiarity with repositories.

• Learning Proposal Writing: Researching successful proposals and understanding how to structure a strong application with clear goals and deliverables.

Looking Ahead

While I am still on my journey toward GSoC, I am excited to continue contributing to open-source projects and building my skills. My focus remains on learning, collaborating with the community, and improving as a developer.

For anyone looking to get started with GSoC, I recommend:

• Start Early: Engage with organizations before the application period.

• Make Contributions: Even small contributions help in understanding the workflow.

• Seek Guidance: Interact with mentors and past participants for insights.

GSoC is not just about coding—it’s about learning, collaboration, and contributing to meaningful projects. I look forward to gaining more experience and eventually applying to GSoC!