Written by Kanhaiya Yadav (Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, India) Open Mainframe Project 2024 Summer Mentee
Hi folks, I’m very excited to share my experience working with the Open Mainframe Project. I got selected for the summer term for the Zowe – App Store UI project. First I would like to familiarize you with what Zowe is, Zowe is an open-source software that provides both an extensible framework, and a set of tools that allow mainframe development and operation teams to securely manage, develop, and automate resources and services on z/OS family mainframes.
About Me:
Before going further about the project, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Kanhaiya yadav from Gorakhpur, India and I’m pursuing a B Tech in Computer Science and Engineering from Jaypee Institute of Information Technology Noida, India.
Getting Started:
Embarking on a journey with the Zowe – App Store UI project has been nothing short of exhilarating. Under the expert mentorship of Leanid Astrakou, I’ve been given a prestigious opportunity to contribute to an innovative project that aligns perfectly with my interests.
When the acceptance email arrived, it was a moment of pure joy and accomplishment. I knew this was my chance to dive deep into the world of open-source development, expand my skills, and contribute meaningfully to a project that impacts many users. With determination and enthusiasm, I began my preparations, eager to make the most of this incredible opportunity.
Diving into the Project
The journey began with understanding the Mainframe and the unique capabilities that Zowe offers. My mentor played a crucial role in helping me grasp the fundamentals
through numerous discussions and meetings. His guidance has been invaluable in navigating the initial stages of the project.
The Kickoff:
The mentorship journey began with an unexpected but exciting detour. One of the important Zowe products, Zen (the Zowe Installation Wizard), was on the verge of a major release. Zen provides a streamlined and user-friendly interface for installing and configuring Zowe, simplifying the process for users. Given my prior experience with Electron, I was well-suited to contribute to this effort.
For those unfamiliar with Electron, let me provide some context. Electron is a free and open-source software framework developed and maintained by the OpenJS Foundation. It is designed to create cross-platform desktop applications using web technologies. Essentially, it allows developers to build applications using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are then rendered using a version of the Chromium browser engine. The back end of these applications is powered by the Node.js runtime environment, making it a powerful tool for developing robust and responsive desktop applications.
My experience with Electron meant that I was already familiar with its capabilities and nuances, allowing me to quickly get up to speed with the requirements of the Zen project. This alignment of my skills with the project’s needs was serendipitous and allowed me to contribute effectively from the outset.
First Contribution:
The process of setting up Zen locally was remarkably straightforward, with only a few configurations needed to get everything up and running smoothly. My main task was to develop and integrate a dry run mode into the application. This feature is designed to give users a comprehensive preview of the application’s workflow and the steps it will take, enhancing their understanding and confidence before executing the actual process.
To achieve this, I had to dive deep into the existing codebase and understand its intricacies. This involved close collaboration with my mentor who provided invaluable guidance and feedback. We had several back-and-forth discussions to refine the implementation and ensure it met the project’s standards.
Throughout this process, I encountered and resolved various bugs, each one a learning opportunity that helped me improve the overall functionality and reliability of the feature.
After going through multiple tests by a QA Engineer my pull request was finally approved and merged into the main codebase. This milestone was a significant achievement, marking the successful completion of my initial task and setting the stage for the next phase of my contribution to the Zowe – App Store UI project.
Future Goals:
Now, I am eagerly looking forward to diving into the App Store UI project. Currently, I am facing a few challenges in setting up the app server, but with the support of my mentor, I am confident these issues will be resolved swiftly.
Once the setup is complete, my primary focus will be on enhancing the existing front end. This involves refining the user interface to ensure a smooth and intuitive experience for users. Simultaneously, I will be laying the groundwork for a highly secure back-end. This dual approach is crucial for the App Store to function seamlessly, allowing Zowe users to install extensions from a user-friendly interface that is securely connected to a registry.
The goal is to create a robust platform that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of Zowe users, providing them with an efficient and secure way to expand the capabilities of their Zowe installations.
Wrapping Up:
The past one and a half months have been an incredible experience for me. I’ve had the opportunity to interact and collaborate with some truly outstanding individuals. This mentorship has not only allowed me to contribute to an exceptional project but also provided a rich learning environment where I could expand my skills and knowledge.
I am eagerly looking forward to the second phase of the mentorship and the upcoming tasks. The prospect of continuing this journey, tackling new challenges, and further developing the App Store UI is incredibly exciting.
In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the OMP team for making all of this possible. Their support and organization have been instrumental in providing such a valuable and enriching experience.
Stay tuned
Mentees will be blogging about their experiences. Stay tuned here and the Open Mainframe Project social channels for updates.
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