= Django sprints =

== What is a sprint? ==

Basically, a Django sprint is an excuse for people to focus their undivided attention, for a set time frame, on improving Django. It's a focused, scheduled effort to test, fix bugs, add new features and improve documentation. 

Anybody, anywhere around the world, can participate and contribute. (See the "How to contribute" section below for details.) Most contributors will be at their own homes/schools/workplaces, but a number of people will gather together in person for camaraderie, improved communication and the other benefits of face-to-face interaction.

For more information, view Brett Cannon's [http://blip.tv/file/2082162 introductory talk] from PyCon, or read Eric Holscher's [http://ericholscher.com/blog/2009/nov/16/you-should-stay-sprints/ blog post].

If you've never contributed to Django before, a sprint is the perfect chance for you to chip in.

== Hosting == 
 If you'd like to host a sprint, see SprintHostingHowto.

== Upcoming development sprints ==

 * [wiki:Sprint201111TriangleNC North Carolina, Saturday, November 12th and Sunday, November 13th]

== Latest development sprints ==
   
   See PastSprints

== How to contribute == 

It's easy: Pick something to work on and do it. All sorts of tasks are available, from hard-core hacking to improving documentation to fixing small bugs.

Volunteers looking to get an early start should take a look at the SprintIdeas page.

== Preparing for the sprint ==

Here are a few easy things you can do ahead of time to make sure your time is spent effectively:

 * [http://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/topics/install/#installing-the-development-version Checkout the "trunk" version of Django] (aka the Django development version).
 * [http://www.djangoproject.com/accounts/register/ Create an account in our ticket system]. This will allow you to claim tickets you're working on.
 * Get some [https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/internals/contributing/new-contributors/ advice] if you are a new contributor.
 * Read our [http://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/internals/contributing/ "Contributing to Django" document].  In particular, you might want to familiarize yourself with:
    * [https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/internals/contributing/writing-code/unit-tests/#running-the-unit-tests Running the test suite] (hint: the second command that includes setting PYTHONPATH is probably what you want)
    * [https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/internals/contributing/triaging-tickets/ Triaging tickets]
    * [https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/internals/contributing/writing-code/submitting-patches/#claiming-tickets Claiming tickets in Trac] (do this before working on anything)
 * Familiarize yourself with our [http://code.djangoproject.com/wiki/Reports ticket system and reports].  You can also see the [http://code.djangoproject.com/roadmap Roadmap] for a list of tickets by milestone.
 * Get an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat IRC] client, so that you can join us in the channel [irc://irc.freenode.net/django-sprint #django-sprint] on Freenode.

== Attendees ==

If you plan to attending a sprint in person, please RSVP; each individual sprint page linked above wil give you instructions about how to do so.