How to Contribute to Rootstock Code

Contributing to Rootstock's open-source projects is a valuable way to enhance the platform and its ecosystem. Here's how to get started, along with sample code.

1. Fork and Clone the Repository

First, fork the relevant repository from Rootstock’s GitHub and clone it locally:

git clone https://github.com/your-username/repository-name.git
cd repository-name

Ensure you have Node.js and npm installed to handle dependencies.

2. Set Up the Development Environment

Follow the README.md or CONTRIBUTING.md file (as in the RSK DevPortal) to set up the environment. A typical setup command might be:

npm install

This installs the necessary dependencies for the project.

3. Create a Feature Branch

Before making changes, create a new branch:

git checkout -b feature/my-feature

4. Make Code Changes

Implement the necessary code changes. For example, if you’re optimizing transaction processing in a node, your modification might look like this:

async function processTransaction(tx) {
    const result = await handleTransaction(tx);
    return result;
}

Test your changes locally using a testing framework like Mocha or Jest.

5. Write Tests

Ensure your contribution is accompanied by test coverage. For example, using Mocha:

describe('processTransaction', function() {
    it('should return result when transaction is valid', async function() {
        const tx = { /* Mock transaction */ };
        const result = await processTransaction(tx);
        assert(result, 'Expected result');
    });
});

6. Commit Changes

Once your changes and tests are complete, commit them:

git add .
git commit -m "Optimized transaction processing"

7. Push Changes and Create a Pull Request

Push your branch to GitHub:

git push origin feature/my-feature

Then, create a pull request (PR) on the original repository and follow the PR template.

8. Code Review

Rootstock contributors will review your PR and provide feedback. Make sure to address it promptly.

9. Example Contribution: Gas Fee Calculation Optimization

Here’s an example where you optimize the gas fee calculation logic in a Rootstock smart contract. Original code:

function calculateGasFee(uint gasUsed) public view returns (uint) {
    uint baseFee = getBaseFee();
    return gasUsed * baseFee;
}

You might propose an improvement by caching the base fee:

function calculateGasFee(uint gasUsed) public view returns (uint) {
    uint baseFee = cachedBaseFee;  // Using a cached value
    return gasUsed * baseFee;
}

This change reduces contract execution costs.

10. Documentation and Communication

Ensure documentation reflects your changes. Good documentation is highly valued in Rootstock’s contribution guidelines.

Further Resources

• Rootstock Developer Portal: Explore the official portal for contributors.
• Developer Documentation: Visit the RSK DevPortal for API references and tutorials.
• Community Engagement: Join Discord or forums to engage with the Rootstock community.