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+DAP4 SCHEMA
+-----------
+
+
+This repository contains the source dap4 schema and it can be used to:
+
+* Understand the scope of DAP4
+* Test to validate DMRs (dap4 xml metadata documents)
+* Raise issues on the issue tracker
+
+## How to run tests
+
+This repository runs tests on github workflows with every Pull Request. It is also possible to run tests locally. To do so you will need to have Python >=3.11 and install the following (minimal) required python dependencies:
+
+* lxml>=4.9.3
+* pytest>=7.0
+
+You can install python packages via pip 
+```
+$   pip install <package>
+```
+or a package manager such as miniforge conda, pixi, etc. 
+
+You will also need test dmr files to validate against. All test dmr files are located in the following test directory.
+
+
+```
+$   tests/data/
+```
+
+To run the tests execute the following command
+
+```
+$   pytest -v
+```
+
+Tests will run and attempt to validate any .dmr in the above `tests/data/` directory. Thus to test whether a sample `.dmr` can be validated against the dap4 schema, simply add the test `.dmr` file into the above test directory.
+
+
+## How to contribute
+You can contribute by raising issues, with a short and clear description of the problem, the expected behavior, and include an example so that the issue/error can be reproduced.
+
+The issue will help us improve the dap4 schema if needed, or add a test that highlights the improper behavior.
+
+If a change is needed, create branch of the project, make a change to the schema located in
+
+```
+$   dap4/dap4.xsd
+```
+
+and include a test `.dmr` that highlights the new behavior.
+
+Before creating a new pull request, always make sure tests pass locally and we recommend to run pre-commit locally for basic formatting. `pre-commit` can be installed as follows:
+
+```
+$   pip install pre-commit
+$   pre-commit run -a
+```
+
+
+
+
+
+
+