BugFixingInitiative

Revision 19 as of 2012-06-12 11:36:54

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Bug fixing initiatives

We plan to have regular bug fixing initiatives, which should be particularly interesting for new contributors.

Instructions

If you are interested in helping out, you might want to

Please: If you decide to work on fixing the issues pointed out below, please make sure you add your Launchpad ID next to them, ie:

  • fix bug 12345

turns into

  • fix bug 12345 (dholbach)

Have a great time and be sure to ask questions if you have any.

New contributors

Spelling errors

Here are a few packages which have spelling errors in their package description. An easy way to fix them is:

  • run bzr branch ubuntu:<packagename>

  • edit the debian/control file

  • fix the spelling mistake
  • run dch -i to document the change you did

  • For the ones specifically mentioned below:
    • run debcommit

    • run bzr push lp:~<your LP ID>/ubuntu/quantal/<source package>/typo-fix

    • run bzr lp-propose

This time around we will try to fix the following issues:

  • revu-tools (informations information) (scarneiro)

  • qlix, qlix-dbg (intuative intuitive) (scarneiro)

  • swac-play (allows to allows one to) (contato-brunoribeiro)

  • encadre-image (automaticaly automatically) (contato-brunoribeiro)

  • semantik (targetted targeted) (contato-brunoribeiro)

  • installation-report-generator (informations information) (scarneiro)
  • linux-tools-3.4.0-3 (dependant dependent)
  • python-zope.size (allows to allows one to)

  • happycoders-libdbg-dev (This packages These packages)
  • qgfe (allows to allows one to)
  • kdevelop-custom-buildsystem (arbitary arbitrary, allows to allows one to)
  • gambas2-gb-crypt (allows to allows one to)
  • vdr-genindex (Usefull Useful)

There are obviously more packages to be fixed, but as they are also in Debian, we'd prefer to get them fixed in Debian, so you might want to take these steps as well:

Experienced contributors

GCC 4.7

If you have a bit more experience, you might want to help out with the transition to gcc-4.7.

  • Some hints on fixing these issues can be found at http://gcc.gnu.org/gcc-4.7/porting_to.html

  • To build with GCC 4.7, either set CC=gcc-4.7 CXX=g++-4.7 explicitly, or install the gcc, g++, gfortran, ... packages from quantal.

Here's the list in the Debian bug tracker:

Make sure you

Java 7

If you are a bit more experienced and have worked with Java before this might be just the right thing for you.

  • Have a look at JavaTeam/Java7Default and familiarise yourself with the general task of porting packages to Java 7

  • Pick any of the bug list and propose a fix

Make sure you

Working with patch systems

Unfortunately, the are many bugs on Launchpad that have patches attached that haven't seen any attention from a developer. Often these patches need intervention by a developer before they are ready for upload. They may just be changes against the upstream code with none of the packaging details taken care of. Often they just need to use the package's patch system, have a changelog entry added, and go through the SponsorshipProcess.

Working on these bugs is a great way to become familiar with patch systems.

Review the patch system documentation before you begin. The ReviewersTeam also has some useful information on getting patches ready to be uploaded.

  • Confirm that the bug still exists.
  • Review and test the provided patch, making sure that it actually fixes the bug.
  • Apply the patch to the package using a patch system.

  • Produce a debdiff and subscribe ubuntu-sponsors or propose a merge.

Below are a few suggested targets, but many more can be found on Launchpad with this bug search.

Make sure you submit your changes to Debian if the problem applies there as well.

More bugs

  • MOTU/TODO lists lots and lots of other tasks you might want to start working on.

Organisation

If you want to help out organising these events, check out our Organisation page and join us at MOTU/Meetings or generally in #ubuntu-motu on irc.freenode.net


CategoryUbuntuDevelopment