QnA Thread for all things Amrita Summer of Code, 2025

[IAmRiteshKoushik]

Tip

Feel free to ask any questions in this thread and get them answered from the organizing team behind Amrita Summer of Code, 2025.

[Rohan7511]

I'm new to open source. I'm kinda confused on what to do first. From what I heard , open source contribution means to solve problems in existing repositories. But for Amrita SoC , do we have to first give our team name and create the project then solve issues in them?

[Ashrockzzz2003]

Hi Rohan,

Thanks for reaching out with your question – it's a really important one, and you've highlighted a common point of confusion for newcomers to open source!

You're absolutely right that a major part of open-source contribution involves solving problems and contributing to existing repositories. That's a fundamental aspect, and it's something we definitely want you to experience. In Amrita SoC, this will be covered in Phase 2, which we'll be launching soon.

However, we believe there's another incredibly valuable side to the open-source journey, especially when you're just starting out. And that's what Phase 1 of Amrita SoC is all about:

Building from Scratch: Your First Open Source Project!

For this initial phase, we're focusing on the exciting opportunity to create a brand-new open-source application from the ground up. Think of it this way:

You'll be the architect: We'll provide you with initial ideas, but you and your team will have the creative freedom to design, develop, and publish a completely new repository.

Real-world collaboration: This will give you invaluable hands-on exposure to using open-source tools (like Git and GitHub) for collaborative development within a team. You'll learn how to manage a project from its inception, make crucial design decisions, and see your vision come to life.

Becoming a "creator": Many people start by contributing, but few get the chance to be the original creator and maintainer of an open-source project so early on. This experience is unique and empowering.

The Full Circle of Open Source

The beauty of this approach is that it sets the stage for the true spirit of open source. Your project, which you start during Amrita SoC, has the potential to grow and eventually receive contributions from other developers around the world. Imagine the satisfaction of seeing your creation evolve with input from the wider community! That's the ultimate "full circle" of open source, and we want you to be a part of it from the very beginning.

So, to directly answer your question: Yes, for Phase 1 of Amrita SoC, you will first form your team, define your project based on our ideas (with your inputs), create a new repository, and then build the application from scratch. Solving issues within that new project will be part of your development process.

We're really excited for you to embark on this journey with us! Let me know if you have any more questions.

Best regards,
Ashwin Narayanan S,
On behalf of the Amrita SoC team.

[Rohan7511]

Thank you for your detailed response. I now have a much better understanding of AmSoC.

Warm regards,
Rohan