Editing Debian (section)

=== Developers ===
The Debian Project has an influx of applicants wishing to become developers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Debian New Member – Statistics |url=https://nm.debian.org/public/stats/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706180807/https://nm.debian.org/public/stats/ |archive-date=July 6, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-03 |publisher=Debian |df=mdy}}</ref> These applicants must undergo a vetting process which establishes their identity, motivation, understanding of the project's principles, and technical competence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Debian New Maintainers |url=http://www.debian.org/devel/join/newmaint |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120014929/http://www.debian.org/devel/join/newmaint |archive-date=November 20, 2008 |access-date=2008-10-31 |publisher=Debian}}</ref> This process has become much harder throughout the years.{{sfn |Hertzog |2013 |p=13}}

Debian developers join the project for many reasons. Some that have been cited include:
* Debian is their main operating system and they want to promote Debian<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Berg |first=Christoph |title=AM report for Alexander GQ Gerasiov |mailing-list=debian-newmaint |date=2009-01-10 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2009/01/msg00022.html |access-date=2014-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725093119/https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2009/01/msg00022.html |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref>
* To improve the support for their favorite technology<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Joeris |first=Steffen |title=AM report for Jakub Wilk &#91;...&#93; |mailing-list=debian-newmaint |date=2010-01-03 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2010/01/msg00000.html |access-date=2014-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725095952/https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2010/01/msg00000.html |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref>
* They are involved with a Debian derivative<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Wolf |first=Gunnar |title=AM report for Kamal Mostafa |mailing-list=debian-newmaint |date=2011-01-13 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2011/01/msg00005.html |access-date=2014-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725090122/https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2011/01/msg00005.html |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref>
* A desire to contribute back to the [[free-software community]]<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Faraone |first=Luke |title=AM report for vicho |mailing-list=debian-newmaint |date=2012-01-01 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2012/01/msg00001.html |access-date=2014-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725094247/https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2012/01/msg00001.html |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref>
* To make their Debian maintenance work easier<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Wiltshire |first=Jonathan |title=AM report for Manuel A. Fernandez Montecelo |mailing-list=debian-newmaint |date=2013-01-06 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2013/01/msg00004.html |access-date=2014-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725085515/https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2013/01/msg00004.html |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

Debian developers may resign their positions at any time or, when deemed necessary, they can be expelled.<ref name="constitution" /> Those who follow the retiring protocol are granted the "emeritus" status and they may regain their membership through a shortened new member process.<ref name="developer-duties">{{Cite web |title=Chapter 3. Debian Developer's Duties |url=http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/developers-reference/developer-duties.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716214122/http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/developers-reference/developer-duties.html |archive-date=July 16, 2014 |access-date=2014-07-19 |website=Debian Developer's Reference |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

Debian has made efforts to diversify and have members represented from the community. Debian Women in 2004 was established with the aim of having more women involved in development. Debian also partnered with Outreachy, which offers internships to individuals with underrepresented identities in technology.<ref name="debianwomen">Debian Project. (2004). "About the Debian Women Project." Retrieved from https://www.debian.org/women/</ref><ref name="outreachy">Outreachy. (2023). "Debian's involvement in Outreachy." Retrieved from https://www.outreachy.org/</ref>