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So you're looking to apply for Google Summer of Code, GSoC, and you find the idea of [[About|MusicBrainz]] or some other project under the [http://metabrainz.org/ MetaBrainz] umbrella intriguing. But where do you go now? How do you get started? This document intends to guide you along that path.
So you're looking to apply for Google Summer of Code, GSoC, and you find the idea of MusicBrainz or some other project under the MetaBrainz umbrella intriguing. But where do you go now? How do you get started? This document intends to guide you along that path.


==Get familiar==
== So how do I get involved with the project? ==
'''Do some homework.'''
:Have you read about the [[meb:projects|MeB projects]]? Do you understand what we do and why we're excited to be contributers?
:Have you looked at the ideas pages for [[Development/Summer_of_Code/2019#Projects|each project]]?


==Get motivated==
All MetaBrainz projects are dedicated to collecting and organising information about Music. Therefore an important aspect of contributing to them is being able to add information, as well as developing the software.


'''MetaBrainz tends to choose students who take initiative''', who jump in and start doing things, who can find answers to their own questions.
Most of the MusicBrainz development community are people who were first contributors to the MusicBrainz database. We tend to choose students for SoC who have an established history of editing on MusicBrainz.


At this point, you should be familiar with basic open source development tools and workflows, and your [http://lmgtfy.com/?q=google-fu Google-fu] should be excellent.
Are you not a current MusicBrainz contributor? Don't worry! You can start now. There is an introductory document at [[How to Contribute]]. You should check if your favourite band has an entry in MusicBrainz (again, we tend to gather developers who are passionate about music and metadata). If not, add them! If they exist, make sure all their albums are added or help with some cleanup.
There is a great community available to help you make edits to the MusicBrainz database. Check out the forums or the IRC channel if you have any questions.


==Get involved==
If you want to contribute to AcousticBrainz development, you should first try and submit some data to AcousticBrainz. Follow the links from the [http://acousticbrainz.org/ home page].
'''MetaBrainz tends to choose students who are active community members, who get involved at all levels.'''
:Have you created an account?
:Have you submitted any data?
:Have you installed and tried [[Picard]] or the [[AcousticBrainz]] submission tool? Written a review on [[CritiqueBrainz]]?
:Have you said "hi" in [[IRC]]? Maybe even lurked in a [[MetaBrainz_Meeting|dev meeting]]?


If you are interested in ListenBrainz, you could import data from Last.fm or Libre.fm to your account on ListenBrainz. If you want to contribute to CritiqueBrainz you should first write a review of an album.


==Get inspired==
If you want to work on BookBrainz, try and add some new books to the database.
So, you've done your homework. You've looked at the ideas pages. Excellent.
:What looks interesting?
:Have you read the related [[Bug_Tracker|tickets]] (including the comments)? Having done that, have you read related forum posts or blog posts, if any?
:Are the technologies in your skill set? (Or can you pick up the required skills quickly on your own?)


== Contributing to development ==


At this point, if you're interested in a particular project then you might seek out a mentor on [[IRC]] to discuss the project and learn more about what it entails. However, "what do I do next?" is not the right question to be asking. Which leads us to:
MetaBrainz is the umbrella organisation for a number of websites, which are written in a number of different programming languages. You may want to choose a potential project based on your language preferences.


==Getting answers on IRC==
The '''MusicBrainz''' server is a large application, mostly written in '''Perl'''. If you want to help work on it, you should at least try and install it yourself first. This can be difficult if you've not worked on a large project before, but our INSTALL document is quite complete. If you have any problems during the installation that you manage to fix yourself, maybe your first contribution to MusicBrainz could be an update to the INSTALL document!


While it's true that "there are no dumb questions", there ''are'' better and worse places to ask some questions. Again, '''MetaBrainz tends to choose students who … can find answers to their own questions'''. There are also [https://rurounijones.github.io/blog/2009/03/17/how-to-ask-for-help-on-irc/ better] and worse ways to ask.
As the main MusicBrainz server is written in Perl, many of our proposed projects require at least some Perl knowledge, or a willingness to learn. Many other parts of MusicBrainz are written in other languages, including '''Python''', and '''Java'''.


Also, before you ask a question in IRC, have you checked the [[Communication#Forums|forums]] to see if your question has already been answered? If it hasn't been, consider asking your question there if you think that the answer would help other students as well.
The development process for MusicBrainz, including tools, source control usage, and [[Development/Git#Submitting_a_patch|code-review]] is described in more detail at [[Development#MusicBrainz_server]].


''Note: You'll need a constant connection to be able to send and receive messages on IRC. If your connection is unstable or you have to disconnect repeatedly for other reasons, consider using a [[wikipedia:BNC_(software)|bouncer]] or a service like [https://www.irccloud.com/ IRCCloud] (PM ruaok if you want an account for the duration of the project).''
'''AcousticBrainz''', '''ListenBrainz''', and '''CritiqueBrainz''' are written in Python, using the Flask webserver. They all use Postgresql as a database server, but ListenBrainz also uses Cassandra and Kafka for data storage.


===Good questions (examples)===
'''BookBrainz''' is written in Node.js


* "I'm looking at ticket X, but I can't reproduce it. The ticket says that the Frob page has no Frob button, but when I go to the page I see it. The button is also there when I log in (I see that the frob page has some slightly different behaviour for logged in users)"
Some projects may require new components to be written. The choice of language here is open for discussion, but bear in mind that it should be maintainable in the future, and therefore would likely be one of the existing languages in the MusicBrainz ecosystem.
* "Ticket Y says that we need to add a "sort" field to all tables, but doesn't say what the tables are. I've found tables on page a, b, c and d. Are there any other ones that need to be sortable?"
* "On ticket Z, there are two possible solutions for solving the problem. I think that thing a is the better option because ______. Should I go ahead with this solution?"
* "I'm trying to set up a local MusicBrainz server, but get <this error>. It looks like package x is missing, but I installed it and still get the same error. Can somebody point me in the right direction?"


===Not-so-good questions (examples)===
Our developers all use IRC, and are in the #metabrainz [[Communication/IRC|IRC channel]]. Come and say hi if you want to know more about the development process.


* "Hey, can somebody answer my questions about GSoC?"
Our ticket system is at http://tickets.musicbrainz.org. Many of these tickets require additional knowledge to get started that may not be present in the ticket. Join the IRC channel if you have any questions and we'll try to help.
*: Don't ask to ask, just ask.
* "How do I start contributing?"
*: If this doc doesn't help you get started, please re-read the [[#Getting_feedback|last section]].
* "Where can I see the source code?"
*: This is the sort of question that you should be able to answer for yourself by searching the wiki/docs.


The proposal-writing period is your chance to demonstrate that you're motivated, that you're able to solve problems on your own. If/when your proposal is accepted, then of course mentors will work with you one-on-one.
Information from previous years and a link to the page with ideas for the current year can be found at [[Development/Summer of Code]].


==Get ready==
== The application process ==
'''Do more homework:'''
:Have you found and cloned the relevant git repo(s) and done a successful local installation?
:Have you tried fixing a few small bugs/issues? Each project has its own specific contribution instructions, but the basic [[#Git_Workflow|workflow]] is the same. Use the [[Bug_Tracker|issue tracker]] to find something to work on, and use Git to submit patches.
:Looking for your first issue to work on? Try searching for issues labeled "Beginner", "Good First Bug" etc.


==Get to work==
Don't apply to become a student without talking to us first! We like to know who you are. Some ways you could do this include:
'''The ideas pages describe problems that needs to be solved. It's up to you to come up with a solution and a plan.'''


This is not the part where you should be asking for help. This is the part where you show us that you understand the problem and that you have a good plan for fixing it. (When/ if you're chosen for the program, then of course mentors will be there to help.)
* Coming into #metabrainz and saying hi
* Post a message on [https://community.metabrainz.org https://community.metabrainz.org]


If you're interested in working on a project you should seek out a mentor on IRC to discuss the project and discover more about what it entails. We strongly recommend potential students to [https://community.metabrainz.org/c/metabrainz/gsoc-applications send drafts of their proposal to our forums] before they apply on the GSoC website.
We '''strongly''' suggest that prospective students send drafts of their proposals to our [[discourse:metabrainz/gsoc-applications|forums]] before they apply on the GSoC website.


*Come into [[IRC|#metabrainz]] and saying "hi".
We have a [[Development/Summer_of_Code/Application_Template Application Template]] which we would like you to use when you write on the forum. If you do not add this information then we may not talk to you until you add it.
*Post a message in the [https://community.metabrainz.org/t/introduction-thread/59 forums].


We have a [[Development/Summer_of_Code/Application_Template|template]] which we would like you to use when you write on the forum. If you do not add this information then we may not respond until you've added it.
== I have more questions… ==


==Git workflow==
Great! The [[Communication]] page describes how to reach other MusicBrainz contributors via [[Communication/IRC|IRC]] (#metabrainz for most GSoC related topics) or other channels.
New to [[Development/Git|Git]]? Start with [https://guides.github.com/introduction/flow/index.html Understanding the GitHub Flow].

==Getting feedback==
If this doc isn't enough to get you started planning your proposal, please leave a comment on the [[Talk:Development/Summer_of_Code/Getting_started|discussion]] page. Please tell us what you're looking for and how this doc could be improved.

Revision as of 10:35, 5 May 2020

So you're looking to apply for Google Summer of Code, GSoC, and you find the idea of MusicBrainz or some other project under the MetaBrainz umbrella intriguing. But where do you go now? How do you get started? This document intends to guide you along that path.

Get familiar

Do some homework.

Have you read about the MeB projects? Do you understand what we do and why we're excited to be contributers?
Have you looked at the ideas pages for each project?

Get motivated

MetaBrainz tends to choose students who take initiative, who jump in and start doing things, who can find answers to their own questions.

At this point, you should be familiar with basic open source development tools and workflows, and your Google-fu should be excellent.

Get involved

MetaBrainz tends to choose students who are active community members, who get involved at all levels.

Have you created an account?
Have you submitted any data?
Have you installed and tried Picard or the AcousticBrainz submission tool? Written a review on CritiqueBrainz?
Have you said "hi" in IRC? Maybe even lurked in a dev meeting?


Get inspired

So, you've done your homework. You've looked at the ideas pages. Excellent.

What looks interesting?
Have you read the related tickets (including the comments)? Having done that, have you read related forum posts or blog posts, if any?
Are the technologies in your skill set? (Or can you pick up the required skills quickly on your own?)


At this point, if you're interested in a particular project then you might seek out a mentor on IRC to discuss the project and learn more about what it entails. However, "what do I do next?" is not the right question to be asking. Which leads us to:

Getting answers on IRC

While it's true that "there are no dumb questions", there are better and worse places to ask some questions. Again, MetaBrainz tends to choose students who … can find answers to their own questions. There are also better and worse ways to ask.

Also, before you ask a question in IRC, have you checked the forums to see if your question has already been answered? If it hasn't been, consider asking your question there if you think that the answer would help other students as well.

Note: You'll need a constant connection to be able to send and receive messages on IRC. If your connection is unstable or you have to disconnect repeatedly for other reasons, consider using a bouncer or a service like IRCCloud (PM ruaok if you want an account for the duration of the project).

Good questions (examples)

  • "I'm looking at ticket X, but I can't reproduce it. The ticket says that the Frob page has no Frob button, but when I go to the page I see it. The button is also there when I log in (I see that the frob page has some slightly different behaviour for logged in users)"
  • "Ticket Y says that we need to add a "sort" field to all tables, but doesn't say what the tables are. I've found tables on page a, b, c and d. Are there any other ones that need to be sortable?"
  • "On ticket Z, there are two possible solutions for solving the problem. I think that thing a is the better option because ______. Should I go ahead with this solution?"
  • "I'm trying to set up a local MusicBrainz server, but get <this error>. It looks like package x is missing, but I installed it and still get the same error. Can somebody point me in the right direction?"

Not-so-good questions (examples)

  • "Hey, can somebody answer my questions about GSoC?"
    Don't ask to ask, just ask.
  • "How do I start contributing?"
    If this doc doesn't help you get started, please re-read the last section.
  • "Where can I see the source code?"
    This is the sort of question that you should be able to answer for yourself by searching the wiki/docs.

The proposal-writing period is your chance to demonstrate that you're motivated, that you're able to solve problems on your own. If/when your proposal is accepted, then of course mentors will work with you one-on-one.

Get ready

Do more homework:

Have you found and cloned the relevant git repo(s) and done a successful local installation?
Have you tried fixing a few small bugs/issues? Each project has its own specific contribution instructions, but the basic workflow is the same. Use the issue tracker to find something to work on, and use Git to submit patches.
Looking for your first issue to work on? Try searching for issues labeled "Beginner", "Good First Bug" etc.

Get to work

The ideas pages describe problems that needs to be solved. It's up to you to come up with a solution and a plan.

This is not the part where you should be asking for help. This is the part where you show us that you understand the problem and that you have a good plan for fixing it. (When/ if you're chosen for the program, then of course mentors will be there to help.)

We strongly suggest that prospective students send drafts of their proposals to our forums before they apply on the GSoC website.

We have a template which we would like you to use when you write on the forum. If you do not add this information then we may not respond until you've added it.

Git workflow

New to Git? Start with Understanding the GitHub Flow.

Getting feedback

If this doc isn't enough to get you started planning your proposal, please leave a comment on the discussion page. Please tell us what you're looking for and how this doc could be improved.