Star
Noun · Verb · Open Source · Origin: 2008
Definitions
A bookmark/like on a GitHub repository indicating interest or approval. Star counts have become a problematic proxy for project quality — some excellent tools have 500 stars while some abandoned projects have 50,000.
In plain English: A 'like' button for code projects on GitHub — shows how popular a project is, though popularity doesn't always equal quality.
Etymology
- 2008
- GitHub launches with a 'Watch' feature; starring is added later as a lighter way to bookmark and show appreciation for repositories
- 2012
- Star counts become a proxy metric for project popularity, influencing hiring decisions and conference talks
- 2020s
- Developers debate whether stars are meaningful — 'awesome lists' and star-farming strategies inflate counts for some repositories