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Offered By: IBM

Introduction to Open Source

This course introduces you to open source software. You'll learn the key concepts, tools, and processes to contribute to any open source project.

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Course

Open Source

5.51k+ Enrolled
4.7
(366 Reviews)

At a Glance

This course introduces you to open source software. You'll learn the key concepts, tools, and processes to contribute to any open source project.

About This Course

"Open source" is a way of working on a project that relies on collaboration, decentralization, and access. Open source software makes source code available to users and invites a community of technical and non-technical contributors to build on and improve it.


This course introduces you to open source software. You'll learn the key concepts, tools, and processes to contribute to any open source project.


First, you'll be introduced to open source software at a high level: what it is, how it works, and why it matters. Next, you'll learn how to contribute to an open source project, from identifying the right project for you, to understanding the different ways to contribute, to following best practices in the open source community. You'll then get familiar with the tools you'll use to contribute to open source software projects, including Git and GitHub. Finally, you'll learn how to set up and host your own project and explore open source leadership, governance, and community.


This course focuses on open source projects in the context of software development, but you don't need coding skills to enroll and reap the benefits. You'll learn how open source software projects are built and improved by a wide range of contributors, including developers, designers, architects, editors, writers, and students. The learning materials are delivered through easy-to-follow slides, videos, and demos, and practice quizzes let you test your understanding of the material before you complete the graded quiz for each module.


Whether you want to gain an understanding of open source projects or simply refresh your open source development skills, this course is for you. If you're an experienced developer or have no coding skills at all, you'll quickly gain the knowledge and expertise to find, contribute to, and lead an open source software project.

Learning Objectives

On completing this course, the learner will: 

  • Understand what an open source project is 
  • Know how to use common open source tools 
  • Be able to find and contribute to open source projects 
  • Create and lead an open source project 
Requirements

None

Recommended skills 

Learners should have basic computer proficiency. 

COURSE SYLLABUS 

Module 1 – Introduction to Open Source Software 

  • What is open source software? 
  • Why OSS matters? 
  • OSS at IBM 

Module 2 – Contributing to Open Source Projects 

  • Choose an open source project 
  • Before you contribute 
  • Different ways of contributing 
  • Start contributing 
  • Best practices 

Module 3 – Open Source Toolbox 

  • Open source tools 
  • Collaboration 
  • Github basics 
  • Github cheat sheet 

Module 4 – Starting an Open Source Project 

  • Hosting your project 
  • Project setup 
  • Licensing 
  • Open source community 
  • Governance and leadership 

Module 5 - Final Exam 

  • Final Exam 
GENERAL INFORMATION 

  • This course is self-paced. 
  • It can be taken at any time. 

Estimated Effort

4 Hours

Level

Beginner

Language

English

Course Code

OS0101EN

Audience

Anyone interested in Open Source

Course Level

Beginner

Language

English

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