Open Source Programming

[JCScoobyRS]

I would like to get into Open Source Programming. For example, lets say that I wanted to create a module for GAIM, where would I begin? Thanks, Jeremy

[KarrottoP]

get the source code for gaim and check out their project documentation, etc, at sourceforge.com

[JCScoobyRS]

I followed your instructions and I have Visual Studio 6.0 Enterprise Edition on my Windows 2000 machine. I can open the c files and modify them. WOOHOO! Now, what would I do next if I were to modify a file so that when I installed the program, my changes would be included in the program? Thanks, Jeremy

[dsc]

This is an opinion only, but it is shared by nearly all Open-Source programmers. Trying to work with Open Source in a Windows environment is a very bad idea, and will probably leave you frustrated and discouraged in the end. Windows is not amenable to Open Source, even though there are a lot of Open Source projects (mostly ports of Linux software) available for Windows.

My strong suggestion is to install Linux (if you haven't already), and then learn to program Gaim as it was intended to be used. ;) If you're not comfortable editing the source code with a text editor and compiling it on the command line, there are IDEs for Linux which will seem more familiar to someone who has worked in Visual C++. A good choice might be the free version of Borland's Kylix, which now supports both C++ and Delphi programming in Linux.

[Elijah]

You'll give the linux users a headache if you used windows to code. It'll add ^M or whatever windows line feeds that linux won't be able to recognize. Happened to pilot-db-tools in db, I tried to compile it and it gave me a bunch of errors from those line feeds, now I need to manually remove them. (I never succesfully did, so I downloaded older versions).

[dsc]

Just to clarify: you cannot use Windows to code and test something like GAIM if you intend to compile and use it on Linux. (I assumed you were using the Win32 port of GAIM, which may be the case, but I'm writing this in case you're not.) Often you can create console apps in one environment that will compile and run in the other, but a windowed program like GAIM is different in many, many ways, far more severe than the difference in the line-break character.

If you want to code Linux programs, you have to do it in Linux (or a sufficiently similar *nix enviroment, like BSD). If you want to code Windows programs, you have to do it in Windows. For a simple example of what I mean, download both the Win32 and the Gnome-based code for GAIM and compare them. It won't take you too long to locate some major differences.

[JCScoobyRS]

I do have linux installed and I LOVE IT. I am new enough to not know everything but experienced enough to get around. I'll take your advice and skip the programming on Windows. The Borland tool you refered to. What is the difference between the free version and the Enterprise version? If you don't know, no worries. Just being lazy and not wanting to go to the site yet. He he. ;) As far as programming goes, are there any good books or sites to get started? Thanks, Jeremy

P.S. - I don't mean getting started with programming, just learning the steps and languages for programming open source.

[dsc]

To be honest, it was awhile back that I read an article about Kylix, and I don't remember the details. But I do know that the "Open" version of Kylix is a full IDE (not a teaser to get you to buy something). IIRC, the main difference is that you are not allowed to create for-profit software with the free version, and it lacks the Enterprise-level tools and the web/database tools of the commercial version. But for ordinary development -- including working on just about any existing Open-Source project -- it should do just fine.

Finally, if you're looking for books about programming in Linux, I can think of no better place to start than http://linux.oreilly.com/ Hope it helps. :)

[JCScoobyRS]

So, I could even begin and write a full blown Open Source Project with Kylix? It's not just for editing is it? Thanks, Jeremy

[bwkaz]

You can start a project with anything, including pico if you were sadistic...

[decamber]

Starting an open source project is exactly like starting any project, regarding development of the sourcecode. Only difference is that you have to have in mind the open source license (GPL, or whatever).