Google summer of code: Student motivations and contributions

Author(s)

Silva, Jefferson O. ^{[1, 2]} ; Wiese, Igor ^[3] ; German, Daniel M. ^[4] ; Treude, Christoph ^[5] ; Gerosa, Marco A. ^[6] ; Steinmacher, Igor ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Pontifical Univ Sao Paulo PUC SP, Comp Sci Dept, Rua Marques Paranagua 111, BR-01303050 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Brazilian Network Informat Ctr NIC Br, Web Studies Ctr Ceweb Br, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Fed Univ Technol, Campo Mourao - Brazil

^[4] Univ Victoria, Victoria, BC - Canada

^[5] Univ Adelaide, Sch Comp Sci, Adelaide, SA - Australia

^[6] No Arizona Univ, Flagstaff, AZ 86011 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE; v. 162, APR 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Several open source software (OSS) projects participate in engagement programs like Summers of Code expecting to foster newcomers' onboarding and receive contributions. However, scant empirical evidence identifies why students join such programs. In this paper, we study the well-established Google Summer of Code (GSoC), which is a 3-month OSS engagement program that offers stipends and mentorship to students willing to contribute to OSS projects. We combined a survey (of students and mentors) and interviews (of students) to understand what motivates students to enter GSoC. Our results show that students enter GSoC for an enriching experience, and not necessarily to become frequent contributors. Our data suggest that, while stipends are an important motivator, students participate for work experience and the ability to enhance their resumes. We also discuss practical implications for students, mentors, OSS projects, and Summer of Code programs. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/24527-3 - Fostering open source software communities on the internet by supporting newcomer software developers
• Grantee: Ivanilton Polato
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants