Recently, I came across an interesting question on Quora: “Why should we go for open-source? Other developers can steal our code.”

Let me address this concern and explain why open-sourcing your code is actually beneficial, despite initial hesitations.

When you open-source a project, you’re doing more than just sharing code - you’re inviting collaboration. By making your code public, other developers can review it, identify potential bugs, and even suggest optimizations. This peer review process ultimately benefits you as a developer, leading to more robust and efficient code.

Think of open-source as a way of contributing to the global knowledge base. When you share your solution to a particular problem, you’re helping future developers who might encounter the same challenge. Instead of reinventing the wheel, they can build upon your work, saving valuable time and effort.

This reminds me of a profound quote by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam:

“Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, caliber, and future of an individual. If the people remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honor for me.”

This quote perfectly captures the essence of open-source - by sharing our knowledge, we become teachers in our own right, helping shape the future of technology.

Consider this: As developers, we frequently search for solutions on Google and GitHub when faced with challenges. If we benefit from others’ shared knowledge, isn’t it only fair that we contribute back to this ecosystem? Creating and maintaining a GitHub account isn’t just about personal growth - it’s about being part of a larger community that believes in the free exchange of information.

Bonus

Speaking of open-source contributions, have you heard about Hacktoberfest?

Hacktoberfest is a month-long celebration of open-source software, organized by DigitalOcean in partnership with GitHub and Twilio. It’s open to everyone in the global community! Participation is straightforward: create an account on their official page and submit four pull requests. If your PRs are approved, you’ll receive exclusive swag as a reward.

While Hacktober 2019 has concluded, you can start preparing for Hacktober 2020. In the meantime, feel free to explore their official website.

Note: I am not promoting any brand or organisation. I am just sharing my personal opinion.