--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/Sphinx/source/developers/creating-plugins.rst	Mon Jul 18 17:36:02 2016 +0200
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+Creating new plugins
+====================
+
+The recommended way of :ref:`contributing to the Orthanc code <contributing>`
+is by extending it by :ref:`creating new plugins <plugins>`.
+
+Overview
+--------
+
+Orthanc plugins must use the `plugin SDK
+<https://orthanc.chu.ulg.ac.be/sdk/index.html>`__ and must be written
+in C or C++. They must also fullfil the terms of the `GPLv3 license
+<http://www.gnu.org/licenses/quick-guide-gplv3.en.html>`__ that is
+used by the core of Orthanc. Sample code for plugins can be found `in
+the official Orthanc repository
+<https://bitbucket.org/sjodogne/orthanc/src/default/Plugins/Samples/>`__
+(in the ``Plugins/Samples`` folder of the ``plugins`` branch). A
+tutorial showing how to implement a basic WADO server is `available on
+CodeProject
+<http://codeproject.com/Articles/797118/Implementing-a-WADO-Server-using-Orthanc>`__.
+
+A plugin takes the form of a shared library (``.DLL`` under Windows,
+``.so`` under Linux, ``.dylib`` under Apple OS X...) that must declare 4
+public functions/symbols:
+
+* ``int32_t OrthancPluginInitialize(OrthancPluginContext* context)``. This
+  callback function is responsible for initializing the plugin. The
+  ``context`` argument gives access to the API of Orthanc.
+* ``void OrthancPluginFinalize()``. This function is responsible
+  for finalizing the plugin, releasing all the allocated resources.
+* ``const char* OrthancPluginGetName()``. This function must give a
+  name to the plugin.
+* ``const char* OrthancPluginGetVersion()``. This function must
+  provide the version of the plugin.
+
+We suggest developers to adopt the :ref:`coding style of the Orthanc
+core <coding-style>`, although this is of course not required.
+
+Do not hesitate to `contact us
+<http://www.orthanc-server.com/static.php?page=contact>`__ if you wish
+your plugin to be **indexed** in :ref:`this part of the Orthanc Book
+<plugins-contributed>`!
+