Contributing file for dev

contributing.md

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+# Contributing File
+
+# Welcome to pyQuARC!
+This page is meant to help you learn how you can contribute to pyQuARC! We are passionate about NASA's Open Science initiative and are open to a variety of contributions. Read below to find ways that you can contribute to our project, either through reporting bugs, suggesting new features, or even directly editing the code yourself. 
+
+## How you can contribute to pyQuARC:
+
+1. **Report a Bug:** for when you find something within the code that does not respond the way you expected/wanted it to.
+   * To start you will need to proceed to the [**Issues** tab](https://github.com/NASA-IMPACT/pyQuARC/issues) within the pyQuARC Github page. 
+   * From here, look for the green button on the right side of the page labeled **New issue**. 
+   * Select **Bug Report** from the list that appears, so that you can create a report to help us improve an aspect of pyQuARC.
+   * The page you are directed to will provide a prompt to add a title and explain how to fill in the bug you want to report. 
+   * If you change your mind about reporting a bug, there is a white button on the bottom right of the page labeled **Cancel** where you can either decide to keep editing or close and discard your issue.
+   * Beneath the description box, select "Issue Type" and "Bug".
+   * When you are finished describing the bug you wish to report, you can click the big green button at the bottom of the page labeled **Create**. This will make your Issue visible to all pyQuARC contributors, and pyQuARC developers will automatically be assigned to the Issue and notified.
+   * You can see your new issue if you return to the **Issues** page of the pyQuARC GitHub and look for your title followed by the red __bug__ tag. 
+
+2. **Suggest a New Feature:** for when you think of something that could enhance pyQuARC for other users.
+   * Suggesting a new feature is very similar to reporting a bug. You will start at the [**Issues** tab](https://github.com/NASA-IMPACT/pyQuARC/issues) within the pyQuARC Github page. 
+   * Select the green **New Issue** button found on the top right side of the page.
+   * From the menu that appears, select **Feature Request** so that you can suggest an idea for our project.
+   * The page you are directed to will provide a prompt to add a title and explain how to make a new suggestion. 
+   * If you change your mind about making a feature request, there is a white button on the bottom right of the page labeled **Cancel** where you can either decide to keep editing or close and discard your issue.
+   * Beneath the description box, select "Issue Type" and "Feature".
+   * When you are finished describing your suggestion, you can click the big green button at the bottom of the page labeled **Create**. This will make your Issue visible to all pyQuARC contributors.
+   * You can see your new issue if you return to the **Issues** page of the pyQuARC GitHub and look for your title followed by the green __new check__ tag. 
+
+3. **Directly Contribute to PyQuARC Content:** for when you want to directly edit the code to add checks or new features.
+   * Fork the repository
+      * To edit the code, you will need to first create your own 'fork' of the repository. A fork is a new repository that shares code and visibility settings with the original repository and allows you to create your edits. Read more about Forks [here](https://docs.github.com/en/pull-requests/collaborating-with-pull-requests/working-with-forks/fork-a-repo).
+      * To create your fork of pyQuARC, return to the [**Code**](https://github.com/NASA-IMPACT/pyQuARC) tab of the pyQuARC GitHub.
+        * On the top right of the page, select the **Fork** tab. 
+        * Under the "Owner" dropdown menu, select yourself as the owner of the new forked repository.
+        * The fork name will default to 'pyQuARC'. If you wish to name your fork something different, edit the 'Repository Name' field. 
+        * You can set an optional description in the 'Description' field below.
+        * Make sure the checkbox next to 'Copy the master branch only' is selected.
+        * Click **Create fork** when you are finished to create your fork!
+      * After completing the steps above, you should be on a new page titled the same as your new fork, with "forked from NASA-IMPACT/pyQuARC" beneath the title. You have successfully created a fork of pyQuARC!
+   * Clone your fork locally 
+      * Now we will store the files locally on your computer so you will be able to edit the code. Click the green dropdown button labeled **<> Code**. 
+      * Under the **HTTPS** tab, copy the link to the repository. 
+      * Open a Python terminal in your preferred coding location.
+      * Change your working directory to wherever you want your cloned pyQuARC repository to be stored.
+      * Type '__git clone__' and then paste the URL you copied a few steps above. 
+      * Press **Enter** and your local clone of pyQuARC will be created! You can now explore all of the files on your local computer.
+   * Create a new branch and make your desired changes.
+   * Create a PR
+      * Once your changes are made, push your commits.
+      * You can then open a Pull Request (PR) on the [**Pull requests** tab](https://github.com/NASA-IMPACT/pyQuARC/pulls) within the pyQuARC Github page.
+      * Set the base repository to "NASA-IMPACT/pyQuARC" and the base to "dev".
+      * Fill out a title and description, then submit!
+      * Feedback may be provided on your PR. Once it is approved, a pyQuARC team member will merge your changes. 
+
+## Thank you for your interest in pyQuARC!
+We appreciate your interest in pyQuARC! Everyone is encouraged to help improve pyQuARC, and we welcome your comments, suggestions, and new ideas!
+Please contact earthdata-support@nasa.gov with any questions.