docs: add some docs to help contributors get started

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -65,20 +65,10 @@ git push origin my-feature
 Once the code is in your github repo, you can then turn it into a Pull Request
 to the actual rules_python project and begin the code review process.
 
+## Developer guide
 
-## Running tests
-
-Running tests is particularly easy thanks to Bazel, simply run:
-
-```
-bazel test //...
-```
-
-And it will run all the tests it can find. The first time you do this, it will
-probably take long time because various dependencies will need to be downloaded
-and setup. Subsequent runs will be faster, but there are many tests, and some of
-them are slow. If you're working on a particular area of code, you can run just
-the tests in those directories instead, which can speed up your edit-run cycle.
+For more more details, guidance, and tips for working with the code base,
+see [DEVELOPING.md](DEVELOPING.md)
 
 ## Formatting
 
@@ -192,6 +182,15 @@ merged:
   `compile_pip_requirements` update target, which is usually in the same directory.
   e.g. `bazel run //docs:requirements.update`
 
+## Binary artifacts
+
+Checking in binary artifacts is not allowed. This is because they are extremely
+problematic to verify and ensure they're safe
+
+Examples include, but aren't limited to: prebuilt binaries, shared libraries,
+zip files, or wheels.
+
+
 (breaking-changes)=
 ## Breaking Changes
 

DEVELOPING.md

@@ -1,5 +1,82 @@
 # For Developers
 
+This document covers tips and guidance for working on the rules_python code
+base. A primary audience for it is first time contributors.
+
+## Running tests
+
+Running tests is particularly easy thanks to Bazel, simply run:
+
+```
+bazel test //...
+```
+
+And it will run all the tests it can find. The first time you do this, it will
+probably take long time because various dependencies will need to be downloaded
+and setup. Subsequent runs will be faster, but there are many tests, and some of
+them are slow. If you're working on a particular area of code, you can run just
+the tests in those directories instead, which can speed up your edit-run cycle.
+
+## Writing Tests
+
+Most code should have tests of some sort. This helps us have confidence that
+refactors didn't break anything and that releases won't have regressions.
+
+We don't require 100% test coverage, testing certain Bazel functionality is
+difficult, and some edge cases are simply too hard to test or not worth the
+extra complexity. We try to judiciously decide when not having tests is a good
+idea.
+
+Tests go under `tests/`. They are loosely organized into directories for the
+particular subsystem or functionality they are testing. If an existing directory
+doesn't seem like a good match for the functionality being testing, then it's
+fine to create a new directory.
+
+Re-usable test helpers and support code go in `tests/support`. Tests don't need
+to be perfectly factored and not every common thing a test does needs to be
+factored into a more generally reusable piece. Copying and pasting is fine. It's
+more important for tests to balance understandability and maintainability.
+
+### sh_py_run_test
+
+The [`sh_py_run_test`](tests/support/sh_py_run_test.bzl) rule is a helper to
+make it easy to run a Python program with custom build settings using a shell
+script to perform setup and verification. This is best to use when verifying
+behavior needs certain environment variables or directory structures to
+correctly and reliably verify behavior.
+
+When adding a test, you may find the flag you need to set isn't supported by
+the rule. To have it support setting a new flag, see the py_reconfig_test docs
+below.
+
+### py_reconfig_test
+
+The `py_reconfig_test` and `py_reconfig_binary` rules are helpers for running
+Python binaries and tests with custom build flags. This is best to use when
+verifying behavior that requires specific flags to be set and when the program
+itself can verify the desired state.
+
+When adding a test, you may find the flag you need to set isn't supported by
+the rule. To have it support setting a new flag:
+
+* Add an attribute to the rule. It should have the same name as the flag
+  it's for. It should be a string, string_list, or label attribute -- this
+  allows distinguishing between if the value was specified or not.
+* Modify the transition and add the flag to both the inputs and outputs
+  list, then modify the transition's logic to check the attribute and set
+  the flag value if the attribute is set.
+
+### Integration tests
+
+An integration test is one that runs a separate Bazel instance inside the test.
+These tests are discouraged unless absolutely necessary because they are slow,
+require much memory and CPU, and are generally harder to debug. Integration
+tests are reserved for things that simple can't be tested otherwise, or for
+simple high level verification tests.
+
+Integration tests live in `tests/integration`. When possible, add to an existing
+integration test.
+
 ## Updating internal dependencies
 
 1. Modify the `./python/private/pypi/requirements.txt` file and run: