Google summer of code is a global program for undergraduate students to spend their summer contributing in Open Source project.The main goal of google summer of code (GOSC) is to support the culture of open source projects. Know more at( https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/about/ )
How It’s work?
Okay,, first of all you need to check organizations list. What is it? it’s a list of large open source projects like(JOOMLA,MOZILLA,DJANGO,..etc). Then you open the ideas list to see all projects with it’s mentors.Now, you should choose project matching your skills.Then you go to it’s github repository and start contributing.( https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/how-it-works/ )
What skills I need?
1- Don’t use windows you should be familiar with Linux . Any developer should be familiar with Linux and I recommend if you are a window user to try Ubuntu because it’s GUI so friendly and similar to windows.(https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/ )
2-You need to be familiar with version control git and GitHub. you could check this tutorials:-
a) git tutorial https://git-scm.com/docs/gittutorial
b)GitHub tutorial https://guides.github.com/activities/hello-world/
3- Average programming skills
You don’t need to be awesome developer or a genius to participate you need just to be familiar with only one programming language syntax and understand it’object oriented concept.
4-You don’t need to know everything!!
That points It’s so important because in each organization you will find a lot of used technologies. Frameworks,tools,,etc.
5-Be Passion,All you need to get accepted is to have passion and have the ability to work in your code for hours
Benefits of GOSC?
1- You will earn a fine amount of money! from 2500$ to 5000$ depend on your country.
2- Nice opportunity to sharpen your programming skills.
3- A rare opportunity to work in clean code!!! When you start working as a software engineer you will found a lot of successful software house with dirty and unorganized code.
How to get Accepted?
1-Communicated with any open source organization. here you can find all organization from the last summer.( https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/organizations/ )
2-Ask for easy issues or where to start first.(you could find in the repository of any project issues tab and search for easy to fix tag). You need that step to get familiar with the project
3-Respect projects documentation. If you are note familiar with contribution you should read the documentation carefully and know how to write variables,functions, spaces.(I remember getting my pull request rejected for adding 4 spaces in my 250 line of code.)
4-Try to improve features.The most important thing in any software project is to add value in it by optimize it code or add more features to it.
5-Start early when you start early you have a better chance to work more and the mentors know you and get accepted.
6- The most important step is to keep communicating with the mentors and keep learning from them.
Finally,check this references for more info:-
https://medium.com/iiitv/google-summer-of-code-preparation-tips-d1d3acc21da5
https://www.sitepoint.com/google-summer-code-10-minutes-crash-course/