Hey there, fellow adventurers! 👋 Join me on an exhilarating ride as I unveil my path to triumph in securing a spot for Google Summer of Code at LibreHealth.
The Kickoff :
Embarking on the Journey:
September 2022 marks the start of a thrilling adventure. After immersing myself in the world of DSA and competitive programming throughout Semester 2, I made a pivotal decision to pivot toward development. Flutter development became my chosen path, and with newfound determination, I took my first steps. Little did I know that last week, while diving into the bare essentials, I would stumble upon the incredible Hacktober Fest '22. Driven by the desire to contribute and, of course, earn that elusive Tee Shirt (which, alas, remains yet to grace my wardrobe 😭, as it got lost in transit), I ventured into repositories, seeking the perfect opportunity to make my mark.
A Breakthrough Contribution:
After an exhaustive search, I finally stumbled upon the perfect repository. Fueled by determination, I dove headfirst into the project, focusing on applying authentication through Firebase. Implementing a BLoC architecture, I ensured a seamless user experience. To add a touch of elegance, I incorporated small shimmer effects, elevating the visual appeal. Tenaciously, I tackled the UI bugs, leaving no stone unturned until every minor flaw was resolved.
A Fluttering Journey Continues:
As I forged ahead on my flutter journey, I found myself engrossed in one of my projects for the Object-Oriented Programming course (which, admittedly, is still a work in progress 😅). During this intense period, an unexpected news flash interrupted my focus: GSOC'23 had been announced! The exhilaration was palpable as I realized the incredible opportunity that awaited me.
I hastened towards the bygone programs, fervently scouring for Flutter projects, only to be astounded by the meager count I stumbled upon. Commencing my quest with CCExtractor, followed by Palisadoes Foundation (for they appeared at the outset, quite amusingly 😂), I encountered failure even in the mere establishment of their projects on my local machines. However, my gaze eventually fell upon LibreHealth, a beacon of hope. Triumphantly, I managed to successfully configure a project on my local machine, prompting jubilant celebrations 🥳.
I embarked on my journey of contributing to the LibreHealth Projects with great enthusiasm. My initial task involved presenting data from a CSV file regarding hospitals and incorporating a search feature for easy accessibility. Subsequently, I encountered another challenge: retrieving data on diverse laboratory tests from a website. This proved to be quite daunting as it necessitated constructing a web scraper utilizing Scrapy. This presented a difficulty, given that it was my first foray into Python coding and I was unfamiliar with Scrapy's intricacies 😁. Additionally, I addressed a minor UI flaw, resolving a TextOverflow issue.
Meanwhile, there was exciting news: LibreHealth had been selected for GSOC'23, and they unveiled starter tasks for Flutter projects. These tasks primarily involved implementing the home page UI (which was easy but somehow I managed to screw it up and I eventually had to improve it 😅). The second task entailed updating the .gitlab-ci.yml file to enable the automatic building of iOS and Android App bundles instead of APK files (which was new to me but thanks to TechWorld with Nana for the amazing GitLab CI CD Tutorial for Beginners 🙏).
Proposing Amidst Sports Triumphs and Tribulations:
As the culmination of my journey drew near, the time came for me to write the all-important project proposal. Interestingly, this pivotal task coincided with my participation in the Inter IIIT Sports Meet, an event that unfolded with unexpected twists and turns (and perhaps a few comedic missteps, resulting in our team's less-than-stellar performance 😂).
Undeterred by the sporting mishaps, I embraced the night at the Inter IIIT Sports Meet as an opportunity to focus and immerse myself in crafting my proposal. Determined and fueled by a mixture of adrenaline and late-night fervor, I channeled my energy into the project documentation. With each keystroke, I inched closer to completing the proposal, pouring my heart and dedication into its contents.
The Anticipation Intensifies:
With the submission of my proposal, the waiting game began, and anxiety gripped me tightly. Doubts clouded my mind as I questioned whether my efforts had been enough to secure a spot in the coveted Google Summer of Code. This period of anticipation was both nerve-wracking and filled with hope.
In my pursuit of reassurance and support, I took a chance and sent my proposal to Kunal Kushwaha during one of his live-streaming sessions, where he graciously reviewed and provided feedback on participants' proposals. To my great fortune, he dedicated his time to review my proposal and shared words of encouragement. His belief in my potential and his affirmation that I would be selected filled me with immense joy and renewed confidence. (Here is the video link -: Live GSoC Proposal Review at 23:20).
With newfound hope and Kunal Kushwaha's endorsement resonating within me, I eagerly awaited the outcome, holding onto the belief that my journey had caught the attention of the GSOC'23 selection committee.
Finally, the day came on 4th May 2023!.....
The GSOC website, unfortunately, succumbed to repeated crashes and proved inaccessible, intensifying my mounting anxiety. However, fate seemed to have a pleasant surprise in store for me. Before I even had the chance to witness the results on the elusive website, I received an email from GSOC confirming my selection. Joyous celebrations ensued, marked by exuberant cheers and heartfelt expressions of elation 🥳🥳.
When I embarked on my Flutter development journey in September of the previous year, the prospect of being selected for GSoC'23 seemed like a far-off dream. Today, as I stand here with the realization that this dream has become a reality, I am filled with an overwhelming mix of joy and disbelief.
It is my sincerest hope that I will be able to deliver the project to the best of my abilities within the given timeframe, and even beyond that, I aspire to continue contributing to the organization long after the completion of GSOC.
Stay Tuned for Weekly Coding Chronicles...
As the coding phase unfolds, I am excited to share my progress and experiences through weekly blog updates. Every weekend, I will be publishing insightful posts that delve into the intricacies of my GSOC'23 journey. From triumphs and challenges to moments of inspiration and breakthroughs, these blogs will offer a glimpse into the world of coding and personal growth. 💖
And the coding phase begins .................. 😎
