Contributor guide

Quick links

Support
IRC channel: irc.freenode.net/#ledger
Mail list: list.hledger.org
Bug tracker: bugs.hledger.org
Tips: how to get help

Released version
release notes, hledger-web demo
ready-to-run binaries
hledger, hledger-web, hledger-vty, hledger-chart, hledger-lib packages

How to..

how to get help

• join and use the hledger mail list
• chat Simon (sm) on the #ledger irc channel which we share, or
• for issues relevant to the wider *ledger community, you can also use or cc ledger's mail list
• don't forget the installation tips, Troubleshooting section, and bug tracker

how to report problems

• check for related issues at bugs.hledger.org (view all) or in the list archive
• discuss/confirm the issue on irc or list
• report new issues in the bug tracker

how to help with testing

• review and test our documentation and web presence
• download and test the binaries on your platform
• test installing via cabal
• use the tools and test functionality, usability, browser compatibility, ui layout etc.
• check that hledger test reports no failures
• run the developer tests
• discuss/report problems via irc/mail list/bug tracker

how to help with bug tracking

• get to know the bug tracker and its contents
• join the hledger google project to get more access
• research and update issues
• use these convenience urls:
  bugs.hledger.org
bugs.hledger.org/grid
bugs.hledger.org/new
bugs.hledger.org/NNN

how to set up for hledger development

1. get an up-to-date ghc, at least 6.12.3 but preferably 7
2. there's probably no need to install the haskell platform now, but you could
3. it's probably worth getting the latest and best cabal: cabal update; cabal install cabal-install
4. get an up-to-date darcs, at least 2.x and preferably newer: use a binary package or cabal install darcs

• get the hledger repo:

  darcs get --lazy http://joyful.com/darcsden/simon/hledger
  cd hledger

• install packages required to build hledger and add-ons, or as many of them as possible:

  cabal update
  make install

  This will also try to cabal install development builds of the hledger executables, so ghc-pkg unregister those afterwards if you don't want that.

• try building with make:

  make bin/hledger

  This is usually quicker and simpler than fiddling with multiple cabal packages during development.

• try auto-building with sp:

  make auto

  You'll need to follow the instructions to install sp. This is how I do most hledger development. It will recompile whenever you save changes to source files.

• test patch sending. Make a dummy change:

  echo >>README.markdown; darcs record README.markdown -a -m 'my test patch'

  send it to yourself:

  darcs send --to me@my.address

  and make sure you receive it. If not, your system may not be configured to send email from the command line. Try to fix that. As a last resort, you can darcs send -O and mail the resulting patch file to the list. Finally, clean up:

  darcs obliterate -p 'my test patch'

how to get your patch committed

• send it
• you should receive a reply shortly. If in doubt, follow up at any time.
• respond to any code review feedback, submitting new patches if needed, until you receive a "patch applied" acknowledgement
• to verify the patch is in the main repo: listen for it on irc or look for it in darcsweb

how to improve the documentation

• get familiar with the website and documentation online, review and test
• get familiar with the site/doc source files (see Makefile)
• set up for hledger development
• send patches with names prefixed with "doc: " (or "site: ")

how to run the tests

• set up for hledger development
• cabal install shelltestrunner
• make test

how to add a test

• identify what to test
• choose the test type: unit ? functional ? benchmark ?
• currently expected to pass or fail ?
• figure out where it goes
• write test, verify expected result
• get it committed

how to fix a bug or add a feature

• research, discuss, validate the issue/feature on irc/list/bug tracker
• look for related tests, run the tests and check they are passing
• add a test ?
• develop a patch
• include any related issue numbers in the patch name, eg: "fix for blah blah (#NNN)"
• get it committed

how to become a contributor

• after getting one or more patches committed, read and sign the contributor list & agreement
• or, ask to be added

how to do code review

• watch for and read new patches on the mail list, irc, darcsweb patch feed, or darcsweb patch log
• set up for development and test new patches in your own repo
• read the existing code docs and source
• send feedback or discuss via irc or list

how to help with packaging

• package hledger for linux distros, macports, etc.
• develop mac/windows installers
• find and assist distro packagers/installer developers

how to help with project management

• clarify/update goals and principles
• monitor, report on project progress and performance
• research, compare and report on successful projects, related projects
• identify collaboration opportunities
• marketing, communication, outreach
• release management, roadmap planning

Project overview

A rough overview/blueprint for the hledger project.

mission, principles, goals

The hledger project aims to produce:

• a practical, accessible, dependable tool for end users
• a useful library and toolbox for finance-minded haskell programmers
• a successful, time-and-money-solvent project within a thriving ecosystem of financial software projects.

roles and activities

• newcomer/potential user
• user
• library user
• field tester
• bug wrangler
• support
• documentor
• qa
• developer
• packager
• communicator
• project manager

documentation

• website
• user manual
• developer guide
• code documentation: haddock
• various developer reports
• developer notes outline
• blurbs: in cabal files, module headers, google project, repo message of the day..

quality assurance

• unit tests (HUnit, make unittest)
• functional tests (shelltestrunner, make functest)
• performance tests (simplebench, make bench)
• documentation tests (make haddocktest + manual)
• ui tests (manual)
• installation tests (manual)

code

• the main repo is served from a private darcsden instance on joyful.com
• darcsweb is also available as an alternate browsing UI

Related projects

• I have a few older bits and pieces here
• John Wiegley's ledger inspired hledger.
• Tim Docker's ledger-reports builds on hledger to generate html reports
• beancount is another ledger clone, in python
• h/ledger inspired Uwe Hollerbach's umm
• http://darcsden.com/alex/bill, http://darcsden.com/alex/bill-atomo, http://darcsden.com/alex/bill-scheme - a time-tracking and billing app
• http://darcsden.com/ozamosi/debts - Silly debt tracking webapp
• http://darcsden.com/housetab-multi, housetab.org - a webapp to manage expenses between a group of friends.