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+# Contributing to libyang
+
+First of all, thanks for thinking about contribution to libyang! Not all of us
+are C guru, but believe that helping us with docs, tests, helping other users to
+solve their issues / answer ther questions or even letting us to know via
+[issue tracker](https://github.com/CESNET/libyang/issues) that something
+can be done in a better or just different way is really appreciated.
+
+If you are willing to contribute, you will definitely have to build and install
+libyang first. To do it, please check dependencies and follow build and install
+instructions provided in [README](README.md).
+
+If you have something what you believe should be part of the libyang repository,
+add it via [Github Pull Request mechanism](https://help.github.com/articles/about-pull-requests/).
+Remember to explain what you wish to add and why. The best approach is to start
+with creating an issue and discuss possible approaches there. Pull requests can be
+then connected with such issues.
+
+## Branches
+
+There are 2 main branches in libyang project. The default branch is named `master`. It is the
+most stable and tested code which you get by default when cloning the Git repository. The
+`devel` branch introduces new features, API changes or even bugfixes in case `master` and
+`devel` differs significantly at that moment and the fix affects the changed code. There are
+some more branches for work-in-progress features and special `coverity` branch for submitting
+code for the [analysis in the Coverity tool](https://scan.coverity.com/projects/5259) usign
+[Travis CI build](https://travis-ci.org/CESNET/libyang/branches).
+
+When you create pull request, think carefully about the branch where the patch belongs to.
+In most cases (if not all), it is the `devel` branch.
+
+## Issue Ticketing
+
+All the communication with the developers is done via [issue tracker](https://github.com/CESNET/libyang/issues).
+You can send us an email, but in case you will ask a question we would think that someone else
+could ask in future, our answer will be just **use the issue tracker**. Private emails are not visible
+for others and we don't want to answer the same questions.
+
+So when you are goingto submit a new issue, **please:**
+* check that the issue you are having is not already solved in the devel branch,
+* go through the present issues (in case of question, it can be already a closed issue) in the tracker,
+* give it as descriptive title as possible,
+* separate topics - solving multiple issues in one ticket hides the issues from others,
+* provide as much relevant information as possible (versions, logs, input data, etc.).
+
+## libyang Coding Style
+
+When you are going to contribute C code, please follow these coding style guidelines.
+
+### Basics
+
+- Use space instead of tabs for indentations.
+- There is no strict limit for the line length, However, try to keep lines in a
+ reasonable length (120 characters).
+- Avoid trailing spaces on lines.
+- Put one blank line between function definitions.
+- Don't mix declarations and code within a block. Similarly, don't use
+ declarations in iteration statements.
+
+### Naming
+
+Use underscores to separate words in an identifier: `multi_word_name`.
+
+Use lowercase for most names. Use uppercase for macros, macro parameters and
+members of enumerations.
+
+Do not use names that begin with `_`. If you need a name for "internal use
+only", use `__` as a suffix instead of a prefix.
+
+### Comments
+
+Avoid `//` comments. Use `/* ... */` comments, write block comments with the
+leading asterisk on each line. You may put the `/*` and `*/` on the same line as
+comment text if you prefer.
+
+```c
+/*
+ * comment text
+ */
+```
+
+### Functions
+
+Put the return type, function name, and the braces that surround the function's
+code on separate lines, all starting in column 0.
+
+```c
+static int
+foo(int arg)
+{
+ ...
+}
+```
+
+When you need to put the function parameters on multiple lines, start new line
+at column after the opening parenthesis from the initial line.
+
+```c
+static int
+my_function(struct my_struct *p1, struct another_struct *p2,
+ int size)
+{
+ ...
+}
+```
+
+In the absence of good reasons for another order, the following parameter order
+is preferred. One notable exception is that data parameters and their
+corresponding size parameters should be paired.
+
+1. The primary object being manipulated, if any (equivalent to the "this"
+ pointer in C++).
+2. Input-only parameters.
+3. Input/output parameters.
+4. Output-only parameters.
+5. Status parameter.
+
+Functions that destroy an instance of a dynamically-allocated type should accept
+and ignore a null pointer argument. Code that calls such a function (including
+the C standard library function `free()`) should omit a null-pointer check. We
+find that this usually makes code easier to read.
+
+#### Function Prototypes
+
+Put the return type and function name on the same line in a function prototype:
+
+```c
+static const struct int foo(int arg);
+```
+
+### Statements
+
+- Indent each level of code with 4 spaces.
+- Put single space between `if`, `while`, `for`, etc. statements and the
+ expression that follow them. On the other hand, function calls has no space
+ between the function name and opening parenthesis.
+- Opening code block brace is kept at the same line with the `if`, `while`,
+ `for` or `switch` statements.
+
+```c
+if (a) {
+ x = exp(a);
+} else {
+ return 1;
+}
+```
+
+- Start switch's cases at the same column as the switch.
+
+```c
+switch (conn->state) {
+case 0:
+ return "data found";
+case 1:
+ return "data not found";
+default:
+ return "unknown error";
+}
+```
+
+- Do not put gratuitous parentheses around the expression in a return statement,
+that is, write `return 0;` and not `return(0);`
+
+### Types
+
+Use typedefs sparingly. Code is clearer if the actual type is visible at the
+point of declaration. Do not, in general, declare a typedef for a struct, union,
+or enum. Do not declare a typedef for a pointer type, because this can be very
+confusing to the reader.
+
+Use the `int<N>_t` and `uint<N>_t` types from `<stdint.h>` for exact-width
+integer types. Use the `PRId<N>`, `PRIu<N>`, and `PRIx<N>` macros from
+`<inttypes.h>` for formatting them with `printf()` and related functions.
+
+Pointer declarators bind to the variable name, not the type name. Write
+`int *x`, not `int* x` and definitely not `int * x`.
+
+### Expresions
+
+Put one space on each side of infix binary and ternary operators:
+
+```c
+* / % + - << >> < <= > >= == != & ^ | && || ?: = += -= *= /= %= &= ^= |= <<= >>=
+```
+
+Do not put any white space around postfix, prefix, or grouping operators with
+one exception - `sizeof`, see the note below.
+
+```c
+() [] -> . ! ~ ++ -- + - * &
+```
+
+The "sizeof" operator is unique among C operators in that it accepts two very
+different kinds of operands: an expression or a type. In general, prefer to
+specify an expression
+```c
+int *x = calloc(1, sizeof *x);
+```
+When the operand of sizeof is an expression, there is no need to parenthesize
+that operand, and please don't. There is an exception to this rule when you need
+to work with partially compatible structures:
+
+```c
+struct a_s {
+ uint8_t type;
+}
+
+struct b_s {
+ uint8_t type;
+ char *str;
+}
+
+struct c_s {
+ uint8_t type;
+ uint8_t *u8;
+}
+...
+struct a_s *a;
+
+switch (type) {
+case 1:
+ a = (struct a_s *)calloc(1, sizeof(struct b_s));
+ break;
+case 2:
+ a = (struct a_s *)calloc(1, sizeof(struct c_s));
+ break;
+ ...
+```