OpenJDK is the official open-source implementation of the Java Platform, Standard Edition. Becoming a committer in the OpenJDK community means you have the ability to contribute code directly to the project. However, gaining committer status is not automatic-it requires experience, consistent contributions, and approval from existing members.
This topic explains the process of becoming an OpenJDK committer, including the required steps, key responsibilities, and best practices for success.
Understanding OpenJDK Contributor Roles
Before becoming a committer, it is essential to understand the different roles within the OpenJDK community:
- Contributor: Anyone can submit patches and participate in discussions, but they need an existing committer to approve and push their changes.
- Author: A contributor who has demonstrated quality work and is granted the ability to contribute code more directly, but still requires a committer for final approval.
- Committer: A developer who has demonstrated a strong understanding of the OpenJDK codebase and has earned the right to push changes directly.
- Reviewer: An experienced committer who can review and approve contributions from others.
Now, let’s look at how to progress from a contributor to a committer.
Step 1: Start as a Contributor
The first step in becoming an OpenJDK committer is to start contributing to the project as a regular contributor. Here’s how to get started:
- Sign the Oracle Contributor Agreement (OCA)
- Before submitting patches, you must sign the OCA. This ensures that your contributions are properly licensed for use in OpenJDK.
- Individuals or organizations can sign the agreement, depending on who owns the intellectual property rights to the contributions.
- Join the OpenJDK Mailing Lists
- OpenJDK discussions take place on mailing lists. Each project or component has its own list where contributors discuss patches, bugs, and improvements.
- Subscribe to relevant lists such as
jdk-dev,security-dev, orhotspot-devbased on your area of interest.
- Find an Area to Contribute
- New contributors can start with small tasks like fixing bugs, improving documentation, or refactoring code.
- The OpenJDK bug tracker (JBS) is a great place to find open issues that need attention.
- Submit a Patch
- Once you’ve made changes, submit a patch to the appropriate mailing list.
- Explain the problem, your solution, and include relevant test cases.
- Work with Reviewers
- OpenJDK follows a strict review process. Experienced committers and reviewers will provide feedback.
- Be patient and address their comments to improve your patch.
Step 2: Become an OpenJDK Author
After contributing a few successful patches, you can apply for “Author” status. This is the first level of recognition in the OpenJDK community.
Requirements to Become an Author
- You must have contributed meaningful patches that were merged into the OpenJDK project.
- A current OpenJDK committer must nominate you for author status.
- Your nomination must be approved by other members in the OpenJDK community.
While being an author, you can contribute code more independently, but you still need a committer to integrate your changes.
Step 3: Gaining Recognition as a Valuable Contributor
To progress towards committer status, you need to continue making significant contributions. Here’s what you should focus on:
- Consistently submit high-quality patches: Ensure your contributions follow OpenJDK’s coding standards.
- Engage in discussions: Participate in technical conversations and provide valuable insights.
- Review and improve patches from others: Helping new contributors is a great way to demonstrate leadership.
- Work on complex tasks: Fixing critical bugs or implementing new features will increase your credibility.
Step 4: Get Nominated as a Committer
Once you have established yourself as a reliable contributor and author, an existing committer can nominate you for committer status.
The Nomination Process
- A committer submits your nomination
- They will highlight your contributions and explain why you deserve committer privileges.
- Voting and Approval
- OpenJDK members will discuss and vote on your nomination.
- If a majority agrees, you will be granted committer status.
- Receive Committer Privileges
- You will now have direct commit access and can merge your own contributions into the OpenJDK repository.
Responsibilities of an OpenJDK Committer
Becoming a committer comes with increased responsibilities, including:
- Maintaining Code Quality
- Committers ensure that the OpenJDK codebase remains stable and adheres to project standards.
- Reviewing Contributions from Others
- As a committer, you will help review and approve patches submitted by authors and contributors.
- Following OpenJDK Policies
- OpenJDK has strict guidelines for code contributions, testing, and documentation. Committers must follow these rules carefully.
Tips for Success in the OpenJDK Community
- Be Patient: The process of becoming a committer can take months or even years. Stay consistent and keep improving your skills.
- Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to ask experienced committers for guidance.
- Write Clear Commit Messages: Properly documenting your code changes will make it easier for others to review and understand your work.
- Stay Active in the Community: Attend OpenJDK discussions, contribute to forums, and collaborate with other developers.
Becoming an OpenJDK committer is a rewarding journey that requires dedication, technical expertise, and collaboration. Starting as a contributor, progressing to an author, and ultimately achieving committer status allows you to play a significant role in shaping the future of Java.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can increase your chances of becoming an OpenJDK committer and making valuable contributions to the global Java community.