A developer who maintains the open source library `` core-js '' that is also used by large companies such as Apple and Netflix by himself asks for help saying `` it is already the limit ''



The open source JavaScript library `` core-js '' boasts a strong popularity as

a Polyfill that allows older browsers to use the latest JavaScript features, and is also built into Babel , an open source JavaScript transcompiler. increase. Denis Pushkarev (zloirock) , a developer who alone maintains 'core-js' used by many websites including large companies such as Apple, Netflix, Spotify, Pornhub, finally can no longer feed his family I published an article on GitHub asking for help.

core-js/2023-02-14-so-whats-next.md at master zloirock/core-js GitHub
https://github.com/zloirock/core-js/blob/master/docs/2023-02-14-so-whats-next.md

'core-js' is used as the most standard Polyfill on a wide range of websites, and the number of downloads of 'core-js' through npm , a package management tool, has reached approximately 250 million times per month. In addition to reaching about 9 billion times since the release in 2018, it is said that there are 19 million GitHub repositories and dependencies. When auto-detection was performed with a script created by Mr. zloirock, it seems that ``core-js'' is detected in 52% of the top 1000 websites, and that it is used on a very wide range of websites.

Examples of websites that actually use 'core-js' include Apple, eBay, LinkedIn, Netflix, PayPal, and Pornhub. “Anyway, I can confidently say that core-js is used by most of the popular websites,” zloirock said. It is definitely being used.'





However, many software developers use 'core-js' indirectly through transcompilers such as Babel, so many developers do not know that they are benefiting from 'core-js'. matter. In fact, Mr. zloirock, who started working on the project at the end of 2012, did not advertise himself or 'core-js' at first.

'core-js' rapidly gained popularity as a library that makes the latest JavaScript functions available in various browsers, and zloirock spent several hours every day maintaining 'core-js' for several years. rice field. Zloirock said that ``core-js'' couldn't be left as it was released because it needed to respond to changes and proposals in JavaScript standards, new JavaScript engine releases, and JavaScript engine bugs.

zloirock started looking for other maintainers and temporary contributors as the amount of work increased, but most JavaScript developers only indirectly use 'core-js' and the trend is All attempts failed because it was not a widely talked about library. Still, out of a sense of responsibility for the web as a whole, zloirock continued to maintain 'core-js', and several years after its release, he finally quit his job because he couldn't keep up with a full-time job. After that, he returned to Russia, where the cost of living is relatively low, and continued working on 'core-js' while earning living expenses through short-term work.

However, in April 2019, Mr. zloirock caused an accident that killed a young man sleeping on the road with a motorcycle. In order not to enter prison, it was necessary to pay a settlement of $ 80,000 (approximately 8.8 million yen at the rate at that time) and attorney's fees, and requested support for 'core-js', which was already widely used. However, the amount collected was only $ 57 per month (about 6300 yen at the rate at that time). Therefore, when we experimentally incorporated a message requesting support through Patreon, a crowdfunding platform, into ``core-js'', this time we started receiving slanderous messages from various developers. .

As shown below, it seems that some developers have tried to remove Mr. zloirock from the 'core-js' library, but no one understands the scale of 'core-js', instead No one tried to maintain it. “Developers like to use open source software that is free and works great,” zloirock said. “They are not interested in thousands of hours of development and the real people behind it. considers any mention of open source developers to be an intrusion into their personal space or even a personal insult, for whom open source software is nothing more than cogs that change automatically without any noise. 'That's why thousands of developers insult and attack me, claiming that they have no right to ask for any help from us.'



After all, Mr. zloirock, who could not pay the settlement money, was imprisoned in January 2020 and released about 10 months after working at a chemical factory. However, since the payment of reparations has not been completed even after that, it is said that it is not possible to go out of Russia until it is paid off.

A Reddit comment cited by zloirock as a typical reaction he received while in prison read, 'This guy is a massive cunt. He's absolutely the worst maintainer I've ever come across on GitHub, bar none. Not sure he's in prison but I'm happy to see him off the site. No, but I'm glad you're gone from this site.'



Mr. zloirock has received messages from many developers such as 'murderer', 'making a lot of money with spam' and 'parasite of the developer community' due to accidents and requests for financial support, and Russia and Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, I have also been slandered for being a “Russian living in Russia”. In response, Mr. zloirock explained that he returned to Russia due to financial problems associated with the maintenance of 'core-js' and that he cannot leave the country until the compensation for the accident has been paid. Regarding the war, he said, 'I will refrain from commenting in detail because there are people close to me on both sides of the border who could suffer if I mention it.'

After the accident, Mr. zloirock made a living with donations of about $ 1,700 (about 230,000 yen) per month, but some support sites became unavailable due to sanctions against Russia, etc., and income in February 2023 is expected to be about 400 dollars (about 53,000 yen). The working hours in January are about 250 hours, which is more than a full-time job, and when converted to an hourly wage, it is only about 200 yen.

Mr. zloirock, who was not so attached to money when he started working on 'core-js', had a son about a year ago and has been forced to support his family and parents. 'I don't think it's possible to feed my family well with the funds I have,' he said. ``But money is important. Zloirock said, complaining that it's already the limit.



'This is the last attempt to keep 'core-js' as a free and open source project of decent quality and functionality,' zloirock said. Just a last attempt to convey that there are real people out there with problems that should be addressed, if you or your company are using core-js in any way and are interested in supply chain quality, then this Please support the project, ”he said, asking for support on the open source support site Open Collective , support site boosty , Patreon , bitcoin address (bc1qlea7544qtsmj2rayg0lthvza9fau63ux0fstcz), etc.

With proper financial support, zloirock can continue maintenance to maintain the functionality of 'core-js' and can hire additional developers. However, if it is not possible, make 'core-js' a commercial project to cover the funds, or get a full-time job and reduce the work on 'core-js' to a few hours a month, and eventually 'core-js' will either die, said zloirock.

in Software,   Web Service, Posted by log1h_ik