From Web Developer to

Firefox Hacker

Anyone can patch Firefox

It is easier than ever

This does not mean it is easy:)

Mozilla's documentation is very good.

This presentation is an attempt at concentrating some starting points

You need to be familiar with JavaScript

You need a Bugzilla account

There are a few technical hurdles

They are very well documented

You have to build Firefox from source

Use Mercurial source code revisioning

Find and work on a 'good first bug' like this

Understand who to consult with when you have questions...

Mozilla modules, owners and peers

Each line of code lives in a 'module'

For instance, the Firefox front end lives in the 'Firefox' module

There are many more

The Firefox Module has an owner named Gavin Sharp

There are also several "Peers"

Module owners and peers are logged into irc most days

You should ask them questions before you get started

Digging Deeper...

Build Firefox Documentation

Build FAQ

JavaScript Programming with Firefox

Research and Communication

Process

Testing

Automated tests are mandatory

Mochitest, Browser Chrome tests

Example Browser Chrome test

head.js: utilities for the local test suite

XPCShell tests

Try Server

Try it before you "buy" break it

Mozilla hg account

Decifering 'Try results': TBPL

Hacking III: The Great Code Review Cycle

Land that Patch

Questions?

End