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p.s. This interview was conducted by Ruihang, a core member and engineer of GreptimeDB, with contributions from Wenkang and community manager Beryl. The narrative is presented from the perspective of the GreptimeDB team.
“I’m a Contributor Fueled by Revenge”
Towards the end of the interview, Kould humorously declared, “I’m a contributor with strong revenge energy.” It’s a label he hopes others will remember.
Kould’s journey from Contributor to Committer was unusually swift. Thanks to his key contributions, such as implementing features for table creation and column type alterations, he was promoted faster than anyone else in the GreptimeDB community. Despite his passion for databases, Kould once faced rejection from database companies during job hunts. That rejection became a surprising source of motivation.
##1 A Chance Encounter: First Steps into GreptimeDB
When asked about his introduction to GreptimeDB, Kould described it as a mix of coincidence and persistence. Though passionate about databases, he was not a formal computer science student. A friend suggested open source contributions could help him build a “database-like resume,” so he initially tried other Rust-based projects. However, their complex architectures and long compilation times discouraged him. That’s when he stumbled upon GreptimeDB. The first successful compilation took just an hour, a stark contrast to his earlier frustrations.
“Compiling GreptimeDB in just one hour felt like unlocking a starter pack! It was such an encouraging start,” he said.
Inspired by this seamless experience, Kould began his journey of contributing code to the GreptimeDB project, eventually becoming a Committer.
From Interest to Mission: Technical Passion and Open Source Power
Even before graduating in 2022, Kould had treated database development as a long-term exploration project. By then, he already possessed extensive coding experience in databases. However, despite his skills and open-source contributions, he faced rejection from multiple companies, including GreptimeDB.
At the time, Kould’s GitHub profile featured a pinned job-hunting resume. When we interviewed him, he had already shifted his career focus. Nevertheless, the open-source community offered a platform for him to continue his coding journey beyond work.
“Writing databases started as a fun challenge. The complex architecture and technical hurdles kept me engaged,” he said.
He humorously described himself as a “revenge-driven database enthusiast.” However, what truly sustains him is not just a love for open source but also his persistence as a programmer.
Co-Creating in Open Source: The GreptimeDB Community Spirit
Regarding the GreptimeDB community, Kould highlighted its strong technical support but noted opportunities for improvement in casual interactions.
“The community members are like single-player gamers focused on their tasks. We need more spaces for lighthearted interactions,” he suggested.
He proposed hosting online events, technical sharing sessions, or even creating casual chat groups to foster greater engagement and inclusivity.
Core member Ruihang echoed this sentiment:
“A great developer community isn’t just about solving problems—it’s a space to share ideas and experiences.”
Continuous Improvement: Making Contributions Smoother
Maintaining an open-source community is no small feat. Kould shared a personal anecdote about a pull request (PR) that remained unaddressed for a long time, leaving him frustrated. It was only after other members flagged the PR that it finally received attention. To address this, the GreptimeDB team has been working on processes to minimize such delays.
“We’re enhancing our PR triaging system to make delays a rare occurrence. If your PR ever gets stuck, feel free to reach out—we’ll even send you some GreptimeDB swag as an apology!” Beryl joked.
Kould also suggested categorizing issues more effectively to help contributors quickly find suitable tasks, reflecting his commitment to the community’s growth.
Building an Engaging Community: Competitions, Low-Barrier Activities, and Growth
When asked about his vision for the GreptimeDB community, Kould expressed hope that it would evolve into more than just a technical platform—a vibrant, open-source haven that encourages exploration and creativity.
“Database technology requires long-term dedication. Every open-source experience is valuable,” he said.
He also humorously remarked that closer collaboration among contributors might make him even more “addicted” to the community.
Life Beyond Code
Outside of his contributions, Kould leads a nomadic lifestyle, traveling from Guangdong to Nanjing, with Beijing as his next stop. While many admire his freedom, he sees it as a way to embrace novelty and challenges.
“Repetitive work drains me. Tackling new challenges keeps me motivated,” he shared.
In his downtime, he enjoys playing shooting games, finding them a great way to unwind. For him, open-source contributions are not just career milestones but opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals.
Lighting the Way for Open Source Enthusiasts
Looking ahead, Kould hopes the GreptimeDB community will broaden its collaborative opportunities, drawing in more contributors who share a passion for databases.
“Databases are plenty, but genuine passion and inclusivity are rare gems,” he said.
He believes GreptimeDB’s commitment to openness will inspire contributors to start new journeys and create lasting impacts.
Explore More
- Star FnckSQL: https://github.com/KipData/FnckSQL
- Connect with Kould: https://github.com/KKould
- Contribute to GreptimeDB: https://github.com/GreptimeTeam/greptimedb Interviewers: Ruihang, Wenkang, Beryl Interviewee: Kould Writer: Beryl
About Greptime
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