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diff --git a/docs/setup/contributing_code.rst b/docs/setup/contributing_code.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..2d3520e363 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/setup/contributing_code.rst @@ -0,0 +1,176 @@ +How To Contribute Code To Firefox +================================= + +The whole process can be a bit long, and it might take time to get things right. +If at any point you are stuck, please don't hesitate to ask at `https://chat.mozilla.org <https://chat.mozilla.org>`_ +in the `#introduction <https://chat.mozilla.org/#/room/#introduction:mozilla.org>`_ channel. + +We make changes to Firefox by writing patches, testing them and pushing them into "the tree", the +term we use for all the code in Mozilla-Central. Let's get started. + +Please see the :ref:`Firefox Contributors Quick Reference <Firefox Contributors' Quick Reference>` for simple check list. + +Finding something to work on +---------------------------- + +| Bugs listed as 'Assigned' are not usually a good place to start, + unless you're sure you have something worthy to contribute. Someone + else is already working on it! +| Even with no assignee, it is polite to check if someone has recently + commented that they're looking at fixing the issue. +| Once you have found something to work on, go ahead and comment! Let + the bug submitter, reviewer, and component owner know that you'd like + to work on the bug. You might receive some extra information, perhaps + also made the assignee. + +Find a bug we've identified as a good fit for new contributors. +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +With more than a million bugs filed in Bugzilla, it can be hard to know +where to start, so we've created these bug categories to make getting +involved a little easier: + +- `Codetribute <https://codetribute.mozilla.org/>`_ - our site for + finding bugs that are mentored, some are good first bugs, some are + slightly harder. Your mentor will help guide you with the bug fix and + through the submission and landing process. +- `Good First Bugs <https://mzl.la/2yBg3zB>`_ + - are the best way to take your first steps into the Mozilla + ecosystem. They're all about small changes, sometimes as little as a + few lines, but they're a great way to learn about setting up your + development environment, navigating Bugzilla, and making + contributions to the Mozilla codebase. +- `Student Projects <https://bugzil.la/kw:student-project>`_ - are + larger projects, such as might be suitable for a university student + for credit. Of course, if you are not a student, feel free to fix one + of these bugs. We maintain two lists: one for projects `based on the + existing codebase <https://bugzil.la/kw:student-project>`_. + +Fix that one bug +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +If there's one particular bug you'd like to fix about Firefox, Thunderbird, or +your other favorite Mozilla application, this can be a great place to +start. There are a number of ways to do this: + +- `Search bugzilla <https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/query.cgi>`_ for + relevant keywords. See pages on + `Bugzilla and Searching Bugzilla <https://bmo.readthedocs.io/en/latest/using/finding.html>`_ for further + help +- Learn the `bugzilla + component <https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/describecomponents.cgi>`_, + with which your pet bug is implemented, using the components list. + Browse this component on bugzilla for related bugs + +Fixing your bug +--------------- + +We leave this in your hands. Here are some further resources to help: + +- Check out + :ref:`Our Developer Guide and its parent document <Working on Firefox>` +- Our :ref:`reviewer checklist <Reviewer Checklist>` is very + useful, if you have a patch near completion, and seek a favorable + review +- Utilize our build tool :ref:`mach`, its linting, + static analysis, and other code checking features + +Getting your code reviewed +-------------------------- + +Once you fix the bug, you can advance to having your code reviewed. + +Mozilla uses +`Phabricator <https://moz-conduit.readthedocs.io/en/latest/phabricator-user.html>`_ +for code review. + +Who is the right person to ask for a review? + +- If you have a mentored bug: ask your mentor. They will help, or can + easily find out. It might be them! +- Run ``{hg, git} blame`` on the file and look for the people who have touched + the functions you're working on. They too are good candidates. + Running ``{hg, git} log`` and looking for regular reviewers might be a + solution too. +- The bug itself may contain a clear indication of the best person to + ask for a review +- Are there related bugs on similar topics? The reviewer in those bugs + might be another good choice +- We have a :ref:`list of modules <Governance>`, which lists peers and + owners for the module. Some of these will be good reviewers. In a + worst case scenario, set the module owner as the reviewer, asking + them in the comments to pick someone more suitable + +Please select only one reviewer. + +Following up and responding +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +Once you've asked for a review, a reviewer will often respond within a +day or two, reviewing the patch, or saying when they will be able to +review it, perhaps due to a backlog. If you don't hear back within this +time, naturally reach out to them: add a comment to the bug saying +'review ping?', check the "Need more information from" box, and add the +reviewer's name. If they don't respond within a day or two, you can ask +for help on Matrix in the +`#introduction:mozilla.org <https://riot.im/app/#/room/#introduction:mozilla.org>`_ +or +`#developers:mozilla.org <https://chat.mozilla.org/#/room/#developers:mozilla.org>`_ +channels. + +Don't hesitate to contact your mentor as well if this isn't moving. + +For most new contributors, and even for long-time Mozillians, the first +review of your patch will be "Requested Changes" (or an "r-" in +Bugzilla). This does not mean you've done bad work. There is more work +to do before the code can be merged into the tree. Your patch may need +some changes - perhaps minor, perhaps major - and your reviewer will +give you some guidance on what needs to be done next. + +This is an important process, so don't be discouraged! With our +long-lived codebase, and hundreds of millions of users, the care and +attention helping contributors bring good patches is the cornerstone of +the Mozilla project. Make any changes your reviewer seeks; if you're +unsure how, be sure to ask! Push your new patch up to Phabricator again and +ask for a further review from the same reviewer. If they accept your +changes, this means your patch can be landed into the tree! + +Getting code into Firefox +------------------------- + +Once your patch has been accepted, it is ready to go. Before it can be +merged into the tree, your patch will need to complete a successful run +through our :ref:`try server <Pushing to Try>`, +making sure there are no unexpected regressions. If you don't have try +server access already, your mentor, or the person who reviewed your +patch, will be able to help. + +Ask the reviewer to land the patch for you. +For more details, see :ref:`push_a_change` + + +Do it all again! +---------------- + +Thank you. You've fixed your very first bug, and the Open Web is +stronger for it. But don't stop now. + +Go back to step 3, as there is plenty more to do. Your mentor might +suggest a new bug for you to work on, or `find one that interests +you <https://moztw.org/~petercpg/asknot/>`_. Now that you've got your +first bug fixed you should request level 1 access to the repository to +push to the try server and get automated feedback about your changes on +multiple platforms. After fixing a nontrivial number of bugs you should +request level 3 access so you can land your own code after it has been +reviewed. + +More information +---------------- + +We're in the process of improving information on this page for newcomers +to the project. We'll be integrating some information from these pages +soon, but until then you may find them interesting in their current +form: + +- `A beginner's guide to SpiderMonkey, Mozilla's Javascript + engine <https://wiki.mozilla.org/JavaScript:New_to_SpiderMonkey>`_ |