add contribution_plan.md file

Author: Ranjana Babu

contribution_plan.md

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+## 1. Basic Information
+
+- **Project Name:** pandas  
+- **GitHub URL:** [https://github.com/pandas-dev/pandas](https://github.com/pandas-dev/pandas)  
+- **Primary Language(s):**
+  - Python (core language)
+  - C / Cython (for performance-critical components)
+
+- **What is the project used for?**  
+  pandas is a powerful, open-source library used for:
+  - Data manipulation and analysis
+  - Working with structured data (like CSV, Excel, SQL, JSON)
+  - Offering key data structures: `DataFrame` and `Series`
+  - Enabling fast, flexible operations for data cleaning, filtering, grouping, merging, and more  
+  It's widely used in data science, machine learning, finance, and research.
+
+---
+
+## 2. Contribution Guidelines
+
+- **Are there clear steps in a CONTRIBUTING.md file?**  
+  No
+
+- **Is there a Code of Conduct?**  
+  ✅ Yes, the project follows a [Code of Conduct](https://github.com/pandas-dev/pandas/blob/main/.github/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md) based on the Contributor Covenant to ensure a welcoming and respectful community.
+
+- **Is a CLA (Contributor License Agreement) needed?**  
+  ❌ No Contributor License Agreement is required for contributing to pandas.
+
+- **Are first-time contributors welcomed?**  
+  ✅ Yes, very much! The project:
+  - Labels beginner-friendly issues (`good first issue`)
+  - Offers clear contribution steps
+  - Encourages community interaction on GitHub discussions and issues
+
+---
+
+## 3. Environment Setup
+
+- **How do you set up the project locally?**
+
+  1. **Install Anaconda**
+     - Download from [https://www.anaconda.com](https://www.anaconda.com)
+
+  2. **Create a conda environment**
+     conda create -n pandas-dev python=3.10 -y
+     conda activate pandas-dev
+     
+
+  3. **Clone the GitHub repository**
+     git clone https://github.com/pandas-dev/pandas.git
+     cd pandas
+
+  4. **Install dependencies**
+     pip install -r requirements-dev.txt
+
+  5. **(Optional) Build pandas from source**
+     python setup.py build_ext --inplace
+
+  6. **(Optional) Run tests**
+     pytest pandas
+
+- **Any dependencies or setup steps?**  
+  Yes — dependencies are managed through `requirements-dev.txt` and include:
+  - `numpy`, `cython`
+  - `pytest`, `mypy`, `black`, `flake8`
+  - `isort`, `versioneer`, and others required for linting, testing, and building