Closes #1301: Update CONTRIBUTING.md (#1523)

* Closes #1301: Update `CONTRIBUTING.md`

This PR (Closes #1301) updates `CONTRIBUTING.md` to specify best practices for:
- Adding issues
- Writing code
- Writing/running tests
- Writing PRs
- Merging PRs
- Cutting releases

* Updated in response to PR feedback

Co-authored-by: Pierce Hayes <[email protected]>

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -1,78 +1,169 @@
 # Contributing to Arkouda
 
-Arkouda welcomes contributions via feedback, bug reports, and pull requests.
+Arkouda is an open source project and we love to see new contributors!
+We welcome contributions via issues and pull requests.
 
-We use a simple [Git Feature Branch Workflow](https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials/comparing-workflows/feature-branch-workflow)
+<a id="toc"></a>
+## Table of Contents
 
-## Development for Arkouda
+1. [Adding Issues](#issues)
+   - [Bug Reports](#bug-reports)
+   - [Feature Requests](#feature-requests)
+2. [Developing Arkouda](#development)
+   - [Coding Conventions and Linting](#code-quality)
+   - [Testing](#testing)
+   - [Writing Pull Requests](#writing-prs)
+3. [Core Development Team Only](#core-dev)
+   - [Merging Pull Requests](#merging-prs)
+   - [Release Process](#release)
 
-### Makefile
+<a id="issues"></a>
+## Adding Issues <sup><sup><sub><a href="#toc">toc</a></sub></sup></sup>
+Most issues fall under the broad categories of bug reports or feature requests.
+If your issue doesn't fit either of these, please add it anyway and provide as much detail as possible.
 
-Run `make help` to see a list of valid targets for `make <target>`.
+It is always a good idea to review the current issue list and make sure your issue is not already present.
 
-The Makefile has several categories of targets.
-* `default` - builds `arkouda_server`
-* `archive` - archives this Git repository's *local* master branch
-* `doc` - generates documentation
-* `test` - builds server test binaries in directory `test-bin`
-* `clean` - cleans build products
+Using github markdown (especially [code blocks](https://docs.github.com/en/get-started/writing-on-github/working-with-advanced-formatting/creating-and-highlighting-code-blocks))
+is very appreciated.
 
-### Running the Test Suite
+<a id="bug-reports"></a>
+### Bug Reports <sup><sup><sub><a href="#toc">toc</a></sub></sup></sup>
+When reporting a bug, please be sure to include the following information:
+- Summary of Problem
+  - What behavior did you observe when encountering the bug?
+  - What behavior did you expect to observe?
+  - Is this a blocking issue with no known work-arounds?
+- Steps to Reproduce
+  - Please provide code that will reproduce the problem if possible.
+Providing simplified programs demonstrating the problem will be appreciated.
+- Configuration Information
+  - What's the output of `ak.get_config()['arkoudaVersion']`?
 
-To build all test binaries for the backend Arkouda server, run `make -j test`.
+<a id="feature-requests"></a>
+### Feature Requests <sup><sup><sub><a href="#toc">toc</a></sub></sup></sup>
+Be as specific as possible and provide examples when appropriate. If the requested feature is based on another library 
+(i.e. numpy, pandas, scipy), please provide a link to their supporting documentation for reference.
 
-Due to long build times, it is typical to build specific tests as needed. Run
-`make test-help` for a list of available test binaries.
+<a id="development"></a>
+## Developing Arkouda <sup><sup><sub><a href="#toc">toc</a></sub></sup></sup>
 
-```terminal
-make -j test-bin/Test1 test-bin/Test2
-```
+If you don't have anything in mind, check out our [outstanding issues](https://github.com/Bears-R-Us/arkouda/issues) 
+(it's likely a good idea to filter on the label `good first issue`).
 
-The test targets will *only* build the test binaries. You are required to run
-the tests manually at this moment.
+If you already have an idea for a new feature or have identified a bug, [add an issue](#issues) before you start working on it.
 
-To see `chpl` debugging output, run `make` with `VERBOSE=1`.
+Once you find or create an issue you intend to work, please leave a comment in the issue indicating that.
+Be sure to mention `@Bears-R-Us/arkouda-core-dev` for our awareness.
+We will then assign the issue to you to avoid anyone duplicating your work.
 
-```terminal
-make VERBOSE=1 test-bin/Test1
-```
+Need assistance or want to discuss design with someone on the Arkouda team?
+Add a comment tagging `@Bears-R-Us/arkouda-core-dev` to the issue and a developer will reach out!
 
-Parallel `make -j` is supported, but the output will be interleaved, so
-`VERBOSE` is not particularly useful with `make -j`.
 
-While not recommended, if you want to fully specify flags to `chpl` when
-building the test binaries, you can set `TEST_CHPL_FLAGS`.
+We use a [Git Forking Workflow](https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials/comparing-workflows/forking-workflow)
+and recommend developers use a simple [Git Feature Branch Workflow](https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials/comparing-workflows/feature-branch-workflow)
+on their own fork.
 
-```terminal
-make -j test TEST_CHPL_FLAGS="--fast"
-```
+<a id="code-quality"></a>
+### Coding Conventions and Linting <sup><sup><sub><a href="#toc">toc</a></sub></sup></sup>
 
-## Loosely Specified Coding Conventions
+#### Python3
+We follow the coding standards laid out in [PEP8](https://peps.python.org/pep-0008/). 
+Our Continuous Integration workflow has a linter (`flake8`) to verify all our python code meets these requirements.
 
-### Python3
+We use `isort`, `black`, and `flake8` (typically in that order) to ensure our code is consistent.
+We utilize a line length of 105. When running `black`, be sure to to use the `--line-length 105` parameter.
 
- * `lowerCamelCase` for variable names
-```python
-printThreshold = 100
-```
+```bash
+$ isort arkouda/example_feature.py
+Fixing arkouda/example_feature.py
 
- * `names_with_underscores` for functions
-```python
-def print_it(x):
-    print(x)
+$ black --line-length 105 arkouda/example_feature.py
+reformatted arkouda/example_feature.py
+
+All done!
+1 file reformatted.
+
+$ flake8 arkouda/example_feature.py
 ```
+For users of pycharm there is nice [interoperability](https://black.readthedocs.io/en/stable/integrations/editors.html#pycharm-intellij-idea) with these tools.
 
-### Chapel
+We use numpy style doc strings. It's a good idea to write code that looks similar to the surrounding functions.
 
- * `lowerCamelCase` for variable names and procedures
+#### Chapel
+Our Chapel code linting is checking spaces only. The linter in the CI will fail if tabs are present.
+* `lowerCamelCase` is used for variable names and procedures
 ```chapel
 var aX: [{0..#s}] real;
 proc printIt(x) {
      writeln(x);
 }
 ```
 
- * `UpperCamelCase` for class names
+ * `UpperCamelCase` is used for class names
 ```chapel
 class Foo: FooParent {}
 ```
+<a id="testing"></a>
+### Testing <sup><sup><sub><a href="#toc">toc</a></sub></sup></sup>
+
+If you’re fixing a bug, add a test. Run it first to confirm it fails, then fix the bug, run it again to confirm it’s really fixed.
+
+If adding a new feature, add a test to make sure it behaves properly.
+
+See our wiki for more info on how to run our tests and create your own:
+https://github.com/Bears-R-Us/arkouda/wiki/Unit-Testing
+
+#### Running python tests
+```terminal
+make test
+```
+#### Running chapel tests
+```terminal
+python3 util/test/parallel_start_test.py -d test
+```
+
+<a id="writing-prs"></a>
+### Writing Pull Requests <sup><sup><sub><a href="#toc">toc</a></sub></sup></sup>
+Every pull request should have at least one associated issue (if there's not one, create one!).
+
+The issue number(s) should be listed in the title and the body using [closing keywords](https://docs.github.com/en/issues/tracking-your-work-with-issues/linking-a-pull-request-to-an-issue).
+Using github markdown (especially [code blocks](https://docs.github.com/en/get-started/writing-on-github/working-with-advanced-formatting/creating-and-highlighting-code-blocks))
+is very appreciated. When in doubt, take a look at some closed pull requests.
+
+````
+Closes #99999: Example Feature Request
+
+This PR (Closes #99999):
+- Implements example feature request
+- Adds testing for example feature request
+
+Example:
+```python
+>>> ak.example_feature(args)
+"super cool functionality!"
+```
+
+Note:
+- It will be helpful if reviewers keep THIS in mind
+````
+
+<a id="core-dev"></a>
+## Core Development Team Only<sup><sup><sub><a href="#toc">toc</a></sub></sup></sup>
+
+<a id="merging-prs"></a>
+### Merging Pull Requests<sup><sup><sub><a href="#toc">toc</a></sub></sup></sup>
+- Only members of the core dev team with quite a bit of experience writing and reviewing PRs should merge pull requests. If you're unsure, ask first.
+- Only merge PRs with 2 or more concurrent approvals from members of the core dev team with limited exceptions.
+- Only merge PRs after the CI has passed and if there are no conflicts. Ideally rebase or merge with master first.
+- If you wrote it, don't merge it. It's best practice for someone else to decide it's ready to be merged.
+- To keep the commit history simple and allow for easy manipulation of PRs, we use the `Squash-and-Merge` functionality of GitHub's web interface.
+
+<a id="release"></a>
+### Release Process<sup><sup><sub><a href="#toc">toc</a></sub></sup></sup>
+
+New versions should only be released after the core dev team has reached a consensus.
+Instructions on our release process:
+
+https://github.com/Bears-R-Us/arkouda/wiki/Release-Process

README.md

@@ -367,4 +367,4 @@ git push --tags
 <a id="contrib-ak"></a>
 ## Contributing to Arkouda <sup><sup><sub><a href="#toc">toc</a></sub></sup></sup>
 
-If you'd like to contribute, please see [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md).
+If you'd like to contribute, we'd love to have you! Before jumping in and adding issues or writing code, please see [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md).