I posted previously about JRuby being accepted to the Google Summer of
Code 2012. Student proposals can be submitted starting TODAY, and we
really want to make a good showing for both JRuby and Ruby. Tell your
friends, tell your neighbors, pass this on to anyone you think would
be a good student or mentor!
This content is also available at http://jruby.org/gsoc.
We’re looking for good mentors and students to come together and help
make JRuby even more awesome. JRuby has great potential to expand Ruby
and to improve the state of Ruby development, and at the same time it
represents a number of interesting and unique challenges.
Ideas
Ideas for JRuby’s GSoC fall into a few categories:
Working on JRuby itself
JRuby always has challenges keeping up with CRuby/MRI on features, and
it’s through user contributions that we’ve managed to maintain such a
high level of compatibility. There are also many interesting technical
challenges implementing JRuby, like optimization, monitoring,
debugging, and integrating with the Java platform. We welcome students
interested in helping improve JRuby.
Working on libraries and tools for JRuby
Because JRuby runs on the JVM, many libraries from CRuby/MRI don’t
work, either because they depend on features the JVM can’t support
(like fork(2)) or because they use native extensions. This can make it
more difficult for users to migrate to JRuby. We welcome students
interested in helping fill out JRuby’s support for common CRuby/MRI
libraries.
Building on the JVM, its languages, and its libraries
The JVM is a huge platform with many languages and libraries that all
have unique features and interesting solutions to software problems.
JRuby can leverage those features through its Java Integration
capabilities, but often they need extra work to really have that “Ruby
feel”. We welcome students interested in helping JRuby leverage the
features of the JVM and the languages and libraries it hosts.
How to Get Involved
Students and mentors should join the JRuby development mailing list
Students
If you are a student and interested in working on a JRuby GSoC project
this summer, join the mailing list above and let us know what project
you have in mind. When the call for GSoC proposals opens, submit your
idea!
GSoC will be open for student proposals on March 25th (US time).
To apply, visit the the JRuby GSoC Page. If you don’t have a GSoC
profile, there’s a big Register link to create one. Once you have a
GSoC profile, you can apply.
Students should have the following skills:
Solid knowledge of Ruby. JRuby knowledge is a plus but not necessary.
Good work ethic. We want students that will carry projects to
completion.
Strong interest in the problem domain for their project. For example,
if you want to work on JRuby’s compilers, you should have an interest
in compilers.
We don’t know how many GSoC slots we’ll get, but the more proposals we
have the more likely we’ll get slots. Submit proposals as soon as
possible!
Mentors
If you are a mentor and would like to help a student work on some
project this summer, now is the time to apply at the GSoC page. We are
looking for folks that will be able to educate and encourage students
during the summer and help keep them to a solid schedule.
Mentors will be accepted any time during the proposal process.
To apply, visit the the JRuby GSoC Page. If you don’t have a GSoC
profile, there’s a big Register link to create one. Once you have a
GSoC profile, you can apply.
Mentors should have the following characteristics:
Some experience mentoring junior developers, either professionally or
academically.
Strong knowledge of Ruby, and solid knowledge of JRuby.
Knowledge of the Java platform and/or the JVM are recommended, since
many students will be new to them.
Highly accessible. Students will participate from all over the world
and frequent, consistent communication is the best way to guarantee
success.