Contributing to WordPress

WordPress is a project driven by its user base, and contributing to the WordPress project is easier than you might think. Contributing code to the core WordPress software is only one way of participating in the WordPress project. You do not need to be a coder or developer to contribute to WordPress. Here are several ways you can contribute to the project, including, but not limited to, code:

• Code: One of the more obvious ways users can contribute to WordPress is by providing code to be used in the core files. The WordPress project has several hundred developers who contribute code at one time or another. You submit code through the WordPress Trac at http://core.trac.wordpress.org. Within the Trac, you can follow current development and track changes. To contribute, you can use the Trac to download and test a code patch or look at reported bugs to see whether you can offer a fix or submit a patch. Required skills include, at the very least, PHP programming, WordPress experience, and MySQL database administration (but not an exhaustive list, mind you).
• Testing: Earlier in this chapter, we mention the wp-testers mailing list you can join to test beta versions of WordPress and report your own user experience, known as testing. WordPress developers monitor this mailing list and try to fix any true bugs or problems.
• Documentation: Previously, we discuss the WordPress Codex, which is the user documentation for WordPress. Anyone can submit documentation to the Codex; all you need to do is visit http://codex.wordpress.org, create an account, and dig in! Be sure to check out the article in the Codex titled “Codex: Contributing” (http://codex.wordpress.org/Codex:Contributing), which provides good tips on how to get started, including guidelines for documentation contributions.
• Tutorials: Do you feel like you have a few tips and tricks you want to share with other WordPress users? Take it to your blog! What better way to contribute to WordPress than sharing your knowledge with the rest of the world? Write up your how-to tutorial and publish it on your Web site — then promote your tutorial on Twitter and Facebook.
• Support Forums: Volunteer your time and knowledge on the WordPress support forums at http://wordpress.org/support. Involvement of WordPress users donating their time and talents in the support forum is an essential part of the WordPress experience.
• Presentations: In the next section of this chapter, we discuss live WordPress events called MeetUps or WordCamps. Consider offering to speak at one of those events to share your knowledge and experience with other users — or host one in your local area.