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Contributing to [Project Name]

We welcome contributions to [Project Name]! Whether it’s bug fixes, new features, improved documentation, or general feedback, your contributions are invaluable.

This guide will help you get started.

Code of Conduct

Please adhere to our Code of Conduct. Be respectful, collaborative, and constructive.

How to Contribute

Reporting Issues

If you encounter bugs, have feature requests, or suggestions, please:

  1. Check the existing issues to see if your concern is already reported.
  2. If not, create a new issue and provide the following:
    • Clear description of the issue or request.
    • Steps to reproduce (if applicable).
    • Relevant environment details (OS, versions, etc.).

Submitting Code

  1. Fork the Repository
    • Click the “Fork” button at the top-right of this repository’s page.

  2. Create a Feature Branch

    • Use a descriptive branch name:

      git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name

  3. Write Clear and Clean Code

    • Follow the project’s coding style:
      • Python: PEP 8
      • C/C++: Google C++ Style Guide
      • MATLAB: Use consistent and clear naming conventions.
    • Add comments and documentation where necessary.
  4. Add Tests
    • Include or update tests for your changes to ensure reliability.

  5. Commit Your Changes

    • Write clear commit messages:

      git commit -m "Add feature: description of your changes"

  6. Push to Your Fork

    git push origin feature/your-feature-name

  7. Submit a Pull Request (PR)

    • Go to your fork on GitLab.
    • Click “Create Merge Request”.
    • Provide a detailed description of your changes and why they are necessary.
    • Select the appropriate target branch (e.g., main or develop).

Contribution Guidelines

Code Style

Follow these language-specific guidelines:

  • Python
    • Adhere to PEP 8. Use linters like flake8 or black.
  • C/C++
  • MATLAB
    • Use consistent formatting and include comments for complex calculations.

Documentation

  • Update the README if your changes impact usage or installation.
  • Document your code and functions to improve maintainability.

Testing

  • Write tests to cover new features or bug fixes.
  • Test your code locally before submitting.

Licensing

By contributing, you agree that your contributions will be licensed under the same license as the project (e.g., MIT or Apache 2.0).

Getting Help

If you need help with your contribution, feel free to:

  • Post a question in the GitLab Issues.
  • Reach out to the maintainers directly through GitLab or via email.

We appreciate your efforts to improve [Project Name]. Thank you for contributing!