Open source projects often have a standardized structure to ensure clarity, maintainability, and ease of contribution. This document outlines the recommended project structure for open source projects, focusing on best practices and conventions.

Project Directory Structure

The following is a typical directory structure for an open source project:

oss_project/
├── README.md
├── LICENSE
├── .gitignore
├── src/
│   ├── main/
│   │   ├── java/
│   │   ├── resources/
│   │   └── ...
│   └── test/
│       ├── java/
│       ├── resources/
│       └── ...
├── doc/
│   ├── guides/
│   ├── reference/
│   └── ...
├── build/
│   └── ...
└── ...

Key Directories

  • src/main: Contains the main application code.
  • src/test: Contains the test code.
  • doc: Contains documentation files.
  • build: Contains build artifacts and generated files.

README.md

The README.md file is the first thing users will see when they visit your project. It should provide a clear and concise description of the project, including:

  • Project Name: The name of the project.
  • Project Description: A brief description of what the project does.
  • Installation Instructions: Steps to install and set up the project.
  • Usage Examples: Examples of how to use the project.
  • Contributing Guidelines: Instructions for contributing to the project.
  • License Information: The license under which the project is distributed.

LICENSE

Every open source project should have a license file that specifies the terms under which the project is distributed. Common licenses include the MIT, Apache, and GNU General Public License (GPL).

.gitignore

The .gitignore file tells Git which files and directories to ignore when committing changes. This helps prevent sensitive information, such as credentials and build artifacts, from being committed to the repository.

Documentation

Documentation is crucial for open source projects. The doc directory can contain various types of documentation, such as:

  • Guides: Step-by-step instructions for using the project.
  • Reference: API documentation and code examples.
  • Troubleshooting: Common issues and their solutions.

Conclusion

Following these best practices for project structure will help make your open source project more accessible, maintainable, and enjoyable for users and contributors alike.

For more information on open source project management, check out our Project Management Guide.