Deep diving into open source code [closed]

Question

When do you feel that it's appropriate/necessary to take deeper dives into the source code of open source tools to gain an understanding of the toolsets that you use? (nHibernate, StructureMap, Rhino Mocks, etc.)

Answer 1

When it doesn't work the way I expect or I need to implement something that isn't described very well in the documentation or with examples. Usually, it's a response to doing something that I think should work, but not understanding why it doesn't. FWIW, this also applies whenever I can access the source code, regardless of how "open" it is.

Answer 2

I would say there are two scenarios for that:

1. When the OpenSource product is part of your core business (your company depends on it).
2. When you want to start contributing to it.