The latest articles on Forem by riyachandra (@riyachandra_6a157caf91fb3). https://forem.com/riyachandra_6a157caf91fb3 https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F3721633%2F234193fe-6845-4f39-b116-a4961b439618.jpg https://forem.com/riyachandra_6a157caf91fb3 en riyachandra Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:00:42 +0000 https://forem.com/riyachandra_6a157caf91fb3/how-i-merged-a-pr-in-vs-code-my-open-source-roadmap-for-gsoc-2026-3f9f https://forem.com/riyachandra_6a157caf91fb3/how-i-merged-a-pr-in-vs-code-my-open-source-roadmap-for-gsoc-2026-3f9f <h2> The Reality of Open Source: Beyond the Hype </h2> <p>Most engineering students wait for an internship to prove their worth. I decided to take a different route: <strong>Direct Impact.</strong> I recently got my first Pull Request (PR) merged into the <code>microsoft/vscode</code> repository. Seeing my code become part of a tool used by millions was a massive "Aha!" moment. It taught me more about software engineering than any semester ever could.</p> <h2> 1. The Scale of Microsoft/VSCode </h2> <p>Contributing to a global powerhouse like VS Code isn't just about writing code; it's about <strong>Engineering Excellence.</strong></p> <ul> <li> <strong>The "Zero Breakage" Rule:</strong> If your code breaks, a million developers stop working. </li> <li> <strong>The Review Masterclass:</strong> Feedback from Microsoft engineers is brutal but brilliant. It forces you to write clean, modular, and efficient code.</li> <li> <strong>Architecture:</strong> Reading the VS Code source code is like looking at a futuristic city everything is perfectly organized.</li> </ul> <h2> 2. My Roadmap: GSoC 2026 &amp; Contributions </h2> <p>Open Source is my playground, and <strong>GSoC 2026</strong> is one of the milestones I'm targeting. Here is where I am focusing my energy:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>AsyncAPI (Studio &amp; CLI):</strong> I am deep-diving into the <code>studio</code> and <code>cli</code> repositories. Event-driven architecture is fascinating, and building tools for other developers is the best way to learn.</li> <li> <strong>Wikimedia:</strong> Exploring their massive infrastructure to understand how global data is managed at scale.</li> <li> <strong>OWASP:</strong> Exploring their massive infrastructure to understand how global data is managed at scale.</li> </ul> <h2> 3. Proof of Work &gt; Certificates </h2> <p>In 2026, your GitHub green squares are your real degree. My strategy is simple:</p> <ol> <li> <strong>Read more, write less:</strong> I spend hours understanding a codebase before typing a single line.</li> <li> <strong>Clear Communication:</strong> Explaining <em>why</em> I changed a line of code is as important as the change itself.</li> <li> <strong>Build in Public:</strong> Everything I learn, I document. </li> </ol> <h2> Let’s Build Together! </h2> <p>If you’re an engineering student and your GitHub is empty change that today. Don’t wait for "perfection." Just clone the repo and start reading.</p> <p><strong>Check out my contributions here:</strong> <a href="https://github.com/Riya-chandra" rel="noopener noreferrer">github.com/Riya-chandra</a></p> <p><strong>Are you also preparing for GSoC 2026? Let's discuss your chosen Org in the comments!</strong> 👇</p> opensource gsoc2026 vscode career riyachandra Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:00:41 +0000 https://forem.com/riyachandra_6a157caf91fb3/how-i-merged-a-pr-in-vs-code-my-open-source-roadmap-for-gsoc-2026-5abn https://forem.com/riyachandra_6a157caf91fb3/how-i-merged-a-pr-in-vs-code-my-open-source-roadmap-for-gsoc-2026-5abn <h2> The Reality of Open Source: Beyond the Hype </h2> <p>Most engineering students wait for an internship to prove their worth. I decided to take a different route: <strong>Direct Impact.</strong> I recently got my first Pull Request (PR) merged into the <code>microsoft/vscode</code> repository. Seeing my code become part of a tool used by millions was a massive "Aha!" moment. It taught me more about software engineering than any semester ever could.</p> <h2> 1. The Scale of Microsoft/VSCode </h2> <p>Contributing to a global powerhouse like VS Code isn't just about writing code; it's about <strong>Engineering Excellence.</strong></p> <ul> <li> <strong>The "Zero Breakage" Rule:</strong> If your code breaks, a million developers stop working. </li> <li> <strong>The Review Masterclass:</strong> Feedback from Microsoft engineers is brutal but brilliant. It forces you to write clean, modular, and efficient code.</li> <li> <strong>Architecture:</strong> Reading the VS Code source code is like looking at a futuristic city—everything is perfectly organized.</li> </ul> <h2> 2. My Roadmap: GSoC 2026 &amp; Contributions </h2> <p>Open Source is my playground, and <strong>GSoC 2026</strong> is one of the milestones I'm targeting. Here is where I am focusing my energy:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>AsyncAPI (Studio &amp; CLI):</strong> I am deep-diving into the <code>studio</code> and <code>cli</code> repositories. Event-driven architecture is fascinating, and building tools for other developers is the best way to learn.</li> <li> <strong>Wikimedia:</strong> Exploring their massive infrastructure to understand how global data is managed at scale.</li> <li> <strong>OWASP:</strong> Exploring their massive infrastructure to understand how global data is managed at scale.</li> </ul> <h2> 3. Proof of Work &gt; Certificates </h2> <p>In 2026, your GitHub green squares are your real degree. My strategy is simple:</p> <ol> <li> <strong>Read more, write less:</strong> I spend hours understanding a codebase before typing a single line.</li> <li> <strong>Clear Communication:</strong> Explaining <em>why</em> I changed a line of code is as important as the change itself.</li> <li> <strong>Build in Public:</strong> Everything I learn, I document. </li> </ol> <h2> Let’s Build Together! </h2> <p>If you’re an engineering student and your GitHub is empty—change that today. Don’t wait for "perfection." Just clone the repo and start reading.</p> <p><strong>Check out my contributions here:</strong> <a href="https://github.com/Riya-chandra" rel="noopener noreferrer">github.com/Riya-chandra</a></p> <p><strong>Are you also preparing for GSoC 2026? Let's discuss your chosen Org in the comments!</strong> 👇</p> opensource gsoc2026 vscode career