# Contributing to Backbone Message Formats
_Last updated: 01 Dec 2022_
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Guidelines for our project partners to collaborate in this workspace specifically for message formats that interact with each partner's software components and the Communications Backbone.
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## Where To Find A Brief on Message Formats
Please refer to the [**README.md**](https://git.noc.ac.uk/communications-backbone-system/backbone-message-format/-/blob/master/README.md) file that summarises the `message types` and `message flows`.
> _Info: [Quick Links](#quick-links) might be helpful too!_
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## Commenting
A great way to collaborate and refine the message formats is by commenting on the schema definitions/examples (within the code itself) or on an `issue` card.
### **Commenting on Code**
Go to [`Merge Requests`](https://git.noc.ac.uk/communications-backbone-system/backbone-message-format/-/merge_requests), add your comment and click `Add comment now`. Be sure to **tag partners** who should response. **Use `@`** followed by the **partner's username** or **tag a partner's** organisation by **adding a label**.
P.S. The initial working branch is [`create-initial-message-formats`](https://git.noc.ac.uk/communications-backbone-system/backbone-message-format/-/merge_requests/2/diffs).
**But _HOW_ Do I Add A Comment?**
> A. To **comment directly on the** [**`master` branch**](https://git.noc.ac.uk/communications-backbone-system/backbone-message-format/-/tree/master) directly, hover over the left column that shows the line numbers, and click on the **paperclip icon**. This copies the specific line of code. You can then proceed to pasting this link into a new issue as per [Raising New Ideas or Questions](#raising-new-ideas-or-questions).
> B. To **comment on a Merge Request**, hover over the left column that shows the line numbers, and click on the _paperclip_ or _comment bubble_ icon. This copies the line of code. You can then proceed to pasting this link into a new issue as per [Raising New Ideas or Questions](#raising-new-ideas-or-questions).
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### **Commenting on Issue Cards**
Go to the [issue](https://git.noc.ac.uk/communications-backbone-system/backbone-message-format/-/issues), scroll to the bottom of the page and add your comment. Once done, click on `Comment`.
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## Raising New Ideas or Questions
If you have an idea or a question for our collaborators, it's simple! [`Create a new issue`](https://git.noc.ac.uk/communications-backbone-system/backbone-message-format/-/issues/new?issue), assign a person to respond/take action under `Assignee`, and add a partner under `Labels` .
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## Labels Summary
To add/edit labels, go to [manage labels](https://git.noc.ac.uk/communications-backbone-system/backbone-message-format/-/labels).
| Category | Labels Available | Description |
| -------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Project | `SoAR` | Associated project |
| Partner | `Planet Ocean`, `Hydro-Surv`, `NOC`, `RHU` | Associated partner |
| Asset | `ah1`, `ecosub`, `reav`, `autonomy engine` | Associated vehicle |
| Status | `In Sprint Backlog`, `In Progress`, `In Review`, `BLOCKED` | Status of resolving issue |
| Weight | `0`, `1`, `2`, `3`, `5`, `8` | Complexity of issue (0 - quick task and 8 - full 2 weeks worth of work) |
| - | `bug`, `feature` | Type of issue i.e. new feature, bug |
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## Quick Links
1. [Schema Fields Definitions](https://git.noc.ac.uk/communications-backbone-system/backbone-message-format/-/tree/7-message-formats-initial/formats)
2. [JSON Schema Examples](https://git.noc.ac.uk/communications-backbone-system/backbone-message-format/-/tree/7-message-formats-initial/examples)
### Project-Specific: SoAR Project
* **[Reference SoAR Message Format Slides](https://planetocean15.sharepoint.com/sites/IUKSoAR/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FIUKSoAR%2FShared%20Documents%2FTechnical%2FTechnical%20meetings%2FDiscussions%E2%80%94%20Backbone%20Message%20Formats%2Epdf&viewid=1d649f5f%2Dd30e%2D482f%2Dbd77%2D9316a0023bf9&parent=%2Fsites%2FIUKSoAR%2FShared%20Documents%2FTechnical%2FTechnical%20meetings)**
* To view schema docs via Swagger UI, run the command below and go to `http://127.0.0.1:5000`
```
python3 docs/generate_swagger.py
```
*Disclaimer: These are *not* endpoints. Purely for schema representation purposes.
> TEMPORARY: Pregenerated Swagger docs can be [viewed here](https://planetocean15.sharepoint.com/sites/IUKSoAR/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FIUKSoAR%2FShared%20Documents%2FTechnical%2FTechnical%20meetings%2Finitial%2Dswagger%2Ddocs%2Ddraft%2Epdf&viewid=1d649f5f%2Dd30e%2D482f%2Dbd77%2D9316a0023bf9&parent=%2Fsites%2FIUKSoAR%2FShared%20Documents%2FTechnical%2FTechnical%20meetings).
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## Getting Started
> Notes for this section is in PROGRESS
1. Clone this gitlab repository:
```
git clone https://git.noc.ac.uk/communications-backbone-system/backbone-message-format.git
```
2. Install the dependencies from `requirements.txt`.