How to Evaluate and Choose Open Source Solutions Wisely

"A free lunch might be cooked with gutter oil – would you still eat it?"
This question really strikes a chord. In software terms: just because an open-source package is free doesn't guarantee it's good or safe to consume. As developers (especially if you're newer to the industry), it's easy to be tempted by shiny libraries and frameworks. I've certainly been there – integrating a promising open-source project only to get burned when it fell apart or became a headache to maintain.

In this post, I'll share some insights combined with my own experiencse. We'll explore how to evaluate and choose open-source solutions, avoiding some common pitfalls. Grab a cup of tea (or coffee, if you must), and let's chat about open source with a sprinkle of hard-earned experiences.

Beware the Abandoned Repository (Ghost-Town Projects)

One of the first lessons is to watch out for abandoned projects – those code repositories that haven't seen a commit since the Stone Age of the internet. An open-source library might look perfect for your needs, but if it's no longer maintained, you could be stepping into a ghost town.

I recall using a python package that worked like a charm… until I hit a bug. I went to check for updates and found the last commit was from 2016. Issues had been piling up with no response. Essentially, the maintainer had vanished into ether, leaving behind a once-great library now frozen in time. 😱 As a noob back then, I learned the hard way that if a repo looks abandoned, you might need to abandon it too – or be prepared to maintain it yourself.

How can you spot an abandoned project?

Stale code activity: Check the commit history and release dates. If the project's last update was many moons ago, that's a red flag.
Unanswered issues and PRs: Take a look at the Issues and Pull Requests on its repository. A heap of unanswered questions or unmerged fixes is a sign that no one's home.
Version incompatibility: An outdated package might not support newer versions of its ecosystem (e.g. a Python library that doesn't work on Python 3, or a JS library incompatible with the latest framework version).

Actionable takeaway: Before you depend on an open-source package, do a maintenance check. If development seems dead, consider alternatives or be ready for some DIY CPR on the code.

To Fork or Not to Fork – That Is the Question

When you encounter a problematic open-source package, you might wonder: “Should I just fork it and fix it myself?” Forking means creating your own copy of the project to modify and maintain. It's one of open source's superpowers, but it's also a responsibility.

The freedom to fork is fantastic, but here's the catch: the moment you fork, you've effectively married that codebase. You break it, you buy it! Maintaining a fork means you've signed up to become the project owner for your own version.

Before you fork:

Assess the necessity: Is the original project so valuable that it's worth maintaining on your own?
Check for community forks: Others may have already created a well-maintained fork or successor project.
Consider the effort: Be honest about your willingness and ability to maintain the fork long-term.

Open source gives you the power to fork, but with great power comes great responsibility. Sometimes it's wiser to find a better-supported alternative or contribute to the original project, rather than splintering the community.

Spotting a makeshift projects

In open-source land makeshift projects are everywhere. Not all small or new projects are bad - we all start somewhere – but you want to distinguish a well-run project from a chaotic one. Warning signs include:

Lack of documentation: Sparse or nonexistent READMEs and examples.
Missing tests or structure: No unit tests, inconsistent folder layout.
Inconsistent quality: Half-implemented features, comments like TODO: fix hack later.
Team experience: A lone weekend hacker versus an established team or backing company.

The One-Man Show: When a Project Has a “Dominator”

Some projects are dominated by a single figure – a "benevolent dictator" who does everything. This isn't always bad, but it can be risky.

Bus factor: If that one person disappears, so does progress.
Community involvement: Are external pull requests accepted?
Maintainer responsiveness: Slow replies or outright hostility are danger signs.
Succession plan: Is there a path for co-maintainers if the main author steps back?

Single-maintainer projects aren't deal-breakers, but you must gauge the risk. There are also large open-source projects that have tens of millions of users replying on one or two key maintainers.

Open-Source Package Checklist

Use this quick checklist when evaluating a package:

Active maintenance? – Recent commits, releases, and issue responses.
Popularity and trust? – Stars are not everything, but usage by others adds confidence. Has the star been continuously increase over time?
Test coverage - Check the unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests coverage.
Quality documentation and design? – Clear instructions and tests indicate professionalism.
Who are the maintainers? – Bus factor? solo dev, small team, or organisation? More core contributors means more resilience
Concerning signals? – Unresolved issues, drama, or licensing changes.
Licence compatibility? – Ensure the licence fits your project's needs.

Final Thoughts

Trust but verify. Enjoy open source, contribute back if you can, but keep your eyes open for red flags. Remember, not all that glitters is gold – sometimes it's pyrite, or worse, gutter oil.

Happy coding, and may your open-source adventures be rewarding and relatively risk-free! If you've got tales of triumphs or traps, share them – we're all learning together. Cheers!