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	:line

	10. Modifying & extending LAMMPS :h3

	This section describes how to customize LAMMPS by modifying
	and extending its source code.

	10.1 "Atom styles"_#mod_1
	10.2 "Bond, angle, dihedral, improper potentials"_#mod_2
	10.3 "Compute styles"_#mod_3
	10.4 "Dump styles"_#mod_4
	10.5 "Dump custom output options"_#mod_5
	10.6 "Fix styles"_#mod_6 which include integrators, \
	temperature and pressure control, force constraints, \
	boundary conditions, diagnostic output, etc
	10.7 "Input script commands"_mod_7
	10.8 "Kspace computations"_#mod_8
	10.9 "Minimization styles"_#mod_9
	10.10 "Pairwise potentials"_#mod_10
	10.11 "Region styles"_#mod_11
	10.12 "Body styles"_#mod_12
	10.13 "Thermodynamic output options"_#mod_13
	10.14 "Variable options"_#mod_14
	10.15 "Submitting new features for inclusion in LAMMPS"_#mod_15 :all(b)

	LAMMPS is designed in a modular fashion so as to be easy to modify and
	extend with new functionality. In fact, about 75% of its source code
	is files added in this fashion.

	In this section, changes and additions users can make are listed along
	with minimal instructions. If you add a new feature to LAMMPS and
	think it will be of interest to general users, we encourage you to
	submit it to the developers for inclusion in the released version of
	LAMMPS. Information about how to do this is provided
	"below"_#mod_14.

	The best way to add a new feature is to find a similar feature in
	LAMMPS and look at the corresponding source and header files to figure
	out what it does. You will need some knowledge of C++ to be able to
	understand the hi-level structure of LAMMPS and its class
	organization, but functions (class methods) that do actual
	computations are written in vanilla C-style code and operate on simple
	C-style data structures (vectors and arrays).

	Most of the new features described in this section require you to
	write a new C++ derived class (except for exceptions described below,
	where you can make small edits to existing files). Creating a new
	class requires 2 files, a source code file (*.cpp) and a header file
	(*.h). The derived class must provide certain methods to work as a
	new option. Depending on how different your new feature is compared
	to existing features, you can either derive from the base class
	itself, or from a derived class that already exists. Enabling LAMMPS
	to invoke the new class is as simple as putting the two source
	files in the src dir and re-building LAMMPS.

	The advantage of C++ and its object-orientation is that all the code
	and variables needed to define the new feature are in the 2 files you
	write, and thus shouldn't make the rest of LAMMPS more complex or
	cause side-effect bugs.

	Here is a concrete example. Suppose you write 2 files pair_foo.cpp
	and pair_foo.h that define a new class PairFoo that computes pairwise
	potentials described in the classic 1997 "paper"_#Foo by Foo, et al.
	If you wish to invoke those potentials in a LAMMPS input script with a
	command like

	pair_style foo 0.1 3.5 :pre

	then your pair_foo.h file should be structured as follows:

	#ifdef PAIR_CLASS
	PairStyle(foo,PairFoo)
	#else
	...
	(class definition for PairFoo)
	...
	#endif :pre

	where "foo" is the style keyword in the pair_style command, and
	PairFoo is the class name defined in your pair_foo.cpp and pair_foo.h
	files.

	When you re-build LAMMPS, your new pairwise potential becomes part of
	the executable and can be invoked with a pair_style command like the
	example above. Arguments like 0.1 and 3.5 can be defined and
	processed by your new class.

	As illustrated by this pairwise example, many kinds of options are
	referred to in the LAMMPS documentation as the "style" of a particular
	command.

	The instructions below give the header file for the base class that
	these styles are derived from. Public variables in that file are ones
	used and set by the derived classes which are also used by the base
	class. Sometimes they are also used by the rest of LAMMPS. Virtual
	functions in the base class header file which are set = 0 are ones you
	must define in your new derived class to give it the functionality
	LAMMPS expects. Virtual functions that are not set to 0 are functions
	you can optionally define.

	Additionally, new output options can be added directly to the
	thermo.cpp, dump_custom.cpp, and variable.cpp files as explained
	below.

	Here are additional guidelines for modifying LAMMPS and adding new
	functionality:

	Think about whether what you want to do would be better as a pre- or
	post-processing step. Many computations are more easily and more
	quickly done that way. :ulb,l

	Don't do anything within the timestepping of a run that isn't
	parallel. E.g. don't accumulate a bunch of data on a single processor
	and analyze it. You run the risk of seriously degrading the parallel
	efficiency. :l

	If your new feature reads arguments or writes output, make sure you
	follow the unit conventions discussed by the "units"_units.html
	command. :l

	If you add something you think is truly useful and doesn't impact
	LAMMPS performance when it isn't used, send an email to the
	"developers"_http://lammps.sandia.gov/authors.html. We might be
	interested in adding it to the LAMMPS distribution. See further
	details on this at the bottom of this page. :l,ule

	:line
	:line

	10.1 Atom styles :link(mod_1),h4

	Classes that define an atom style are derived from the AtomVec class
	and managed by the Atom class. The atom style determines what
	quantities are associated with an atom. A new atom style can be
	created if one of the existing atom styles does not define all
	the arrays you need to store and communicate with atoms.

	Atom_vec_atomic.cpp is a simple example of an atom style.

	Here is a brief description of methods you define in your new derived
	class. See atom_vec.h for details.

	init: one time setup (optional)
	grow: re-allocate atom arrays to longer lengths (required)
	grow_reset: make array pointers in Atom and AtomVec classes consistent (required)
	copy: copy info for one atom to another atom's array locations (required)
	pack_comm: store an atom's info in a buffer communicated every timestep (required)
	pack_comm_vel: add velocity info to communication buffer (required)
	pack_comm_hybrid: store extra info unique to this atom style (optional)
	unpack_comm: retrieve an atom's info from the buffer (required)
	unpack_comm_vel: also retrieve velocity info (required)
	unpack_comm_hybrid: retreive extra info unique to this atom style (optional)
	pack_reverse: store an atom's info in a buffer communicating partial forces (required)
	pack_reverse_hybrid: store extra info unique to this atom style (optional)
	unpack_reverse: retrieve an atom's info from the buffer (required)
	unpack_reverse_hybrid: retreive extra info unique to this atom style (optional)
	pack_border: store an atom's info in a buffer communicated on neighbor re-builds (required)
	pack_border_vel: add velocity info to buffer (required)
	pack_border_hybrid: store extra info unique to this atom style (optional)
	unpack_border: retrieve an atom's info from the buffer (required)
	unpack_border_vel: also retrieve velocity info (required)
	unpack_border_hybrid: retreive extra info unique to this atom style (optional)
	pack_exchange: store all an atom's info to migrate to another processor (required)
	unpack_exchange: retrieve an atom's info from the buffer (required)
	size_restart: number of restart quantities associated with proc's atoms (required)
	pack_restart: pack atom quantities into a buffer (required)
	unpack_restart: unpack atom quantities from a buffer (required)
	create_atom: create an individual atom of this style (required)
	data_atom: parse an atom line from the data file (required)
	data_atom_hybrid: parse additional atom info unique to this atom style (optional)
	data_vel: parse one line of velocity information from data file (optional)
	data_vel_hybrid: parse additional velocity data unique to this atom style (optional)
	memory_usage: tally memory allocated by atom arrays (required) :tb(s=:)

	The constructor of the derived class sets values for several variables
	that you must set when defining a new atom style, which are documented
	in atom_vec.h. New atom arrays are defined in atom.cpp. Search for
	the word "customize" and you will find locations you will need to
	modify.

	:line

	10.2 Bond, angle, dihedral, improper potentials :link(mod_2),h4

	Classes that compute molecular interactions are derived from the Bond,
	Angle, Dihedral, and Improper classes. New styles can be created to
	add new potentials to LAMMPS.

	Bond_harmonic.cpp is the simplest example of a bond style. Ditto for
	the harmonic forms of the angle, dihedral, and improper style
	commands.

	Here is a brief description of common methods you define in your
	new derived class. See bond.h, angle.h, dihedral.h, and improper.h
	for details and specific additional methods.

	init: check if all coefficients are set, calls {init_style} (optional)
	init_style: check if style specific conditions are met (optional)
	compute: compute the molecular interactions (required)
	settings: apply global settings for all types (optional)
	coeff: set coefficients for one type (required)
	equilibrium_distance: length of bond, used by SHAKE (required, bond only)
	equilibrium_angle: opening of angle, used by SHAKE (required, angle only)
	write & read_restart: writes/reads coeffs to restart files (required)
	single: force and energy of a single bond or angle (required, bond or angle only)
	memory_usage: tally memory allocated by the style (optional) :tb(s=:)

	:line

	10.3 Compute styles :link(mod_3),h4

	Classes that compute scalar and vector quantities like temperature
	and the pressure tensor, as well as classes that compute per-atom
	quantities like kinetic energy and the centro-symmetry parameter
	are derived from the Compute class. New styles can be created
	to add new calculations to LAMMPS.

	Compute_temp.cpp is a simple example of computing a scalar
	temperature. Compute_ke_atom.cpp is a simple example of computing
	per-atom kinetic energy.

	Here is a brief description of methods you define in your new derived
	class. See compute.h for details.

	init: perform one time setup (required)
	init_list: neighbor list setup, if needed (optional)
	compute_scalar: compute a scalar quantity (optional)
	compute_vector: compute a vector of quantities (optional)
	compute_peratom: compute one or more quantities per atom (optional)
	compute_local: compute one or more quantities per processor (optional)
	pack_comm: pack a buffer with items to communicate (optional)
	unpack_comm: unpack the buffer (optional)
	pack_reverse: pack a buffer with items to reverse communicate (optional)
	unpack_reverse: unpack the buffer (optional)
	remove_bias: remove velocity bias from one atom (optional)
	remove_bias_all: remove velocity bias from all atoms in group (optional)
	restore_bias: restore velocity bias for one atom after remove_bias (optional)
	restore_bias_all: same as before, but for all atoms in group (optional)
	memory_usage: tally memory usage (optional) :tb(s=:)

	:line

	10.4 Dump styles :link(mod_4),h4
	10.5 Dump custom output options :link(mod_5),h4

	Classes that dump per-atom info to files are derived from the Dump
	class. To dump new quantities or in a new format, a new derived dump
	class can be added, but it is typically simpler to modify the
	DumpCustom class contained in the dump_custom.cpp file.

	Dump_atom.cpp is a simple example of a derived dump class.

	Here is a brief description of methods you define in your new derived
	class. See dump.h for details.

	write_header: write the header section of a snapshot of atoms
	count: count the number of lines a processor will output
	pack: pack a proc's output data into a buffer
	write_data: write a proc's data to a file :tb(s=:)

	See the "dump"_dump.html command and its {custom} style for a list of
	keywords for atom information that can already be dumped by
	DumpCustom. It includes options to dump per-atom info from Compute
	classes, so adding a new derived Compute class is one way to calculate
	new quantities to dump.

	Alternatively, you can add new keywords to the dump custom command.
	Search for the word "customize" in dump_custom.cpp to see the
	half-dozen or so locations where code will need to be added.

	:line

	10.6 Fix styles :link(mod_6),h4

	In LAMMPS, a "fix" is any operation that is computed during
	timestepping that alters some property of the system. Essentially
	everything that happens during a simulation besides force computation,
	neighbor list construction, and output, is a "fix". This includes
	time integration (update of coordinates and velocities), force
	constraints or boundary conditions (SHAKE or walls), and diagnostics
	(compute a diffusion coefficient). New styles can be created to add
	new options to LAMMPS.

	Fix_setforce.cpp is a simple example of setting forces on atoms to
	prescribed values. There are dozens of fix options already in LAMMPS;
	choose one as a template that is similar to what you want to
	implement.

	Here is a brief description of methods you can define in your new
	derived class. See fix.h for details.

	setmask: determines when the fix is called during the timestep (required)
	init: initialization before a run (optional)
	setup_pre_exchange: called before atom exchange in setup (optional)
	setup_pre_force: called before force computation in setup (optional)
	setup: called immediately before the 1st timestep and after forces are computed (optional)
	min_setup_pre_force: like setup_pre_force, but for minimizations instead of MD runs (optional)
	min_setup: like setup, but for minimizations instead of MD runs (optional)
	initial_integrate: called at very beginning of each timestep (optional)
	pre_exchange: called before atom exchange on re-neighboring steps (optional)
	pre_neighbor: called before neighbor list build (optional)
	pre_force: called after pair & molecular forces are computed (optional)
	post_force: called after pair & molecular forces are computed and communicated (optional)
	final_integrate: called at end of each timestep (optional)
	end_of_step: called at very end of timestep (optional)
	write_restart: dumps fix info to restart file (optional)
	restart: uses info from restart file to re-initialize the fix (optional)
	grow_arrays: allocate memory for atom-based arrays used by fix (optional)
	copy_arrays: copy atom info when an atom migrates to a new processor (optional)
	pack_exchange: store atom's data in a buffer (optional)
	unpack_exchange: retrieve atom's data from a buffer (optional)
	pack_restart: store atom's data for writing to restart file (optional)
	unpack_restart: retrieve atom's data from a restart file buffer (optional)
	size_restart: size of atom's data (optional)
	maxsize_restart: max size of atom's data (optional)
	setup_pre_force_respa: same as setup_pre_force, but for rRESPA (optional)
	initial_integrate_respa: same as initial_integrate, but for rRESPA (optional)
	post_integrate_respa: called after the first half integration step is done in rRESPA (optional)
	pre_force_respa: same as pre_force, but for rRESPA (optional)
	post_force_respa: same as post_force, but for rRESPA (optional)
	final_integrate_respa: same as final_integrate, but for rRESPA (optional)
	min_pre_force: called after pair & molecular forces are computed in minimizer (optional)
	min_post_force: called after pair & molecular forces are computed and communicated in minmizer (optional)
	min_store: store extra data for linesearch based minimization on a LIFO stack (optional)
	min_pushstore: push the minimization LIFO stack one element down (optional)
	min_popstore: pop the minimization LIFO stack one element up (optional)
	min_clearstore: clear minimization LIFO stack (optional)
	min_step: reset or move forward on line search minimization (optional)
	min_dof: report number of degrees of freedom {added} by this fix in minimization (optional)
	max_alpha: report maximum allowed step size during linesearch minimization (optional)
	pack_comm: pack a buffer to communicate a per-atom quantity (optional)
	unpack_comm: unpack a buffer to communicate a per-atom quantity (optional)
	pack_reverse_comm: pack a buffer to reverse communicate a per-atom quantity (optional)
	unpack_reverse_comm: unpack a buffer to reverse communicate a per-atom quantity (optional)
	dof: report number of degrees of freedom {removed} by this fix during MD (optional)
	compute_scalar: return a global scalar property that the fix computes (optional)
	compute_vector: return a component of a vector property that the fix computes (optional)
	compute_array: return a component of an array property that the fix computes (optional)
	deform: called when the box size is changed (optional)
	reset_target: called when a change of the target temperature is requested during a run (optional)
	reset_dt: is called when a change of the time step is requested during a run (optional)
	modify_param: called when a fix_modify request is executed (optional)
	memory_usage: report memory used by fix (optional)
	thermo: compute quantities for thermodynamic output (optional) :tb(s=:)

	Typically, only a small fraction of these methods are defined for a
	particular fix. Setmask is mandatory, as it determines when the fix
	will be invoked during the timestep. Fixes that perform time
	integration ({nve}, {nvt}, {npt}) implement initial_integrate() and
	final_integrate() to perform velocity Verlet updates. Fixes that
	constrain forces implement post_force().

	Fixes that perform diagnostics typically implement end_of_step(). For
	an end_of_step fix, one of your fix arguments must be the variable
	"nevery" which is used to determine when to call the fix and you must
	set this variable in the constructor of your fix. By convention, this
	is the first argument the fix defines (after the ID, group-ID, style).

	If the fix needs to store information for each atom that persists from
	timestep to timestep, it can manage that memory and migrate the info
	with the atoms as they move from processors to processor by
	implementing the grow_arrays, copy_arrays, pack_exchange, and
	unpack_exchange methods. Similarly, the pack_restart and
	unpack_restart methods can be implemented to store information about
	the fix in restart files. If you wish an integrator or force
	constraint fix to work with rRESPA (see the "run_style"_run_style.html
	command), the initial_integrate, post_force_integrate, and
	final_integrate_respa methods can be implemented. The thermo method
	enables a fix to contribute values to thermodynamic output, as printed
	quantities and/or to be summed to the potential energy of the system.

	:line

	10.7 Input script commands :link(mod_7),h4

	New commands can be added to LAMMPS input scripts by adding new
	classes that have a "command" method. For example, the create_atoms,
	read_data, velocity, and run commands are all implemented in this
	fashion. When such a command is encountered in the LAMMPS input
	script, LAMMPS simply creates a class with the corresponding name,
	invokes the "command" method of the class, and passes it the arguments
	from the input script. The command method can perform whatever
	operations it wishes on LAMMPS data structures.

	The single method your new class must define is as follows:

	command: operations performed by the new command :tb(s=:)

	Of course, the new class can define other methods and variables as
	needed.

	:line

	10.8 Kspace computations :link(mod_8),h4

	Classes that compute long-range Coulombic interactions via K-space
	representations (Ewald, PPPM) are derived from the KSpace class. New
	styles can be created to add new K-space options to LAMMPS.

	Ewald.cpp is an example of computing K-space interactions.

	Here is a brief description of methods you define in your new derived
	class. See kspace.h for details.

	init: initialize the calculation before a run
	setup: computation before the 1st timestep of a run
	compute: every-timestep computation
	memory_usage: tally of memory usage :tb(s=:)

	:line

	10.9 Minimization styles :link(mod_9),h4

	Classes that perform energy minimization derived from the Min class.
	New styles can be created to add new minimization algorithms to
	LAMMPS.

	Min_cg.cpp is an example of conjugate gradient minimization.

	Here is a brief description of methods you define in your new derived
	class. See min.h for details.

	init: initialize the minimization before a run
	run: perform the minimization
	memory_usage: tally of memory usage :tb(s=:)

	:line

	10.10 Pairwise potentials :link(mod_10),h4

	Classes that compute pairwise interactions are derived from the Pair
	class. In LAMMPS, pairwise calculation include manybody potentials
	such as EAM or Tersoff where particles interact without a static bond
	topology. New styles can be created to add new pair potentials to
	LAMMPS.

	Pair_lj_cut.cpp is a simple example of a Pair class, though it
	includes some optional methods to enable its use with rRESPA.

	Here is a brief description of the class methods in pair.h:

	compute: workhorse routine that computes pairwise interactions
	settings: reads the input script line with arguments you define
	coeff: set coefficients for one i,j type pair
	init_one: perform initialization for one i,j type pair
	init_style: initialization specific to this pair style
	write & read_restart: write/read i,j pair coeffs to restart files
	write & read_restart_settings: write/read global settings to restart files
	single: force and energy of a single pairwise interaction between 2 atoms
	compute_inner/middle/outer: versions of compute used by rRESPA :tb(s=:)

	The inner/middle/outer routines are optional.

	:line

	10.11 Region styles :link(mod_11),h4

	Classes that define geometric regions are derived from the Region
	class. Regions are used elsewhere in LAMMPS to group atoms, delete
	atoms to create a void, insert atoms in a specified region, etc. New
	styles can be created to add new region shapes to LAMMPS.

	Region_sphere.cpp is an example of a spherical region.

	Here is a brief description of methods you define in your new derived
	class. See region.h for details.

	match: determine whether a point is in the region :tb(s=:)

	:line

	10.11 Body styles :link(mod_12),h4

	Classes that define body particles are derived from the Body class.
	Body particles can represent complex entities, such as surface meshes
	of discrete points, collections of sub-particles, deformable objects,
	etc.

	See "Section_howto 14"_Section_howto.html#howto_14 of the manual for
	an overview of using body particles and the "body"_body.html doc page
	for details on the various body styles LAMMPS supports. New styles
	can be created to add new kinds of body particles to LAMMPS.

	Body_nparticle.cpp is an example of a body particle that is treated as
	a rigid body containing N sub-particles.

	Here is a brief description of methods you define in your new derived
	class. See body.h for details.

	data_body: process a line from the Bodies section of a data file
	noutrow: number of sub-particles output is generated for
	noutcol: number of values per-sub-particle output is generated for
	output: output values for the Mth sub-particle
	pack_comm_body: body attributes to communicate every timestep
	unpack_comm_body: unpacking of those attributes
	pack_border_body: body attributes to communicate when reneighboring is done
	unpack_border_body: unpacking of those attributes :tb(s=:)

	:line

	10.13 Thermodynamic output options :link(mod_13),h4

	There is one class that computes and prints thermodynamic information
	to the screen and log file; see the file thermo.cpp.

	There are two styles defined in thermo.cpp: "one" and "multi". There
	is also a flexible "custom" style which allows the user to explicitly
	list keywords for quantities to print when thermodynamic info is
	output. See the "thermo_style"_thermo_style.html command for a list
	of defined quantities.

	The thermo styles (one, multi, etc) are simply lists of keywords.
	Adding a new style thus only requires defining a new list of keywords.
	Search for the word "customize" with references to "thermo style" in
	thermo.cpp to see the two locations where code will need to be added.

	New keywords can also be added to thermo.cpp to compute new quantities
	for output. Search for the word "customize" with references to
	"keyword" in thermo.cpp to see the several locations where code will
	need to be added.

	Note that the "thermo_style custom"_thermo.html command already allows
	for thermo output of quantities calculated by "fixes"_fix.html,
	"computes"_compute.html, and "variables"_variable.html. Thus, it may
	be simpler to compute what you wish via one of those constructs, than
	by adding a new keyword to the thermo command.

	:line

	10.14 Variable options :link(mod_14),h4

	There is one class that computes and stores "variable"_variable.html
	information in LAMMPS; see the file variable.cpp. The value
	associated with a variable can be periodically printed to the screen
	via the "print"_print.html, "fix print"_fix_print.html, or
	"thermo_style custom"_thermo_style.html commands. Variables of style
	"equal" can compute complex equations that involve the following types
	of arguments:

	thermo keywords = ke, vol, atoms, ...
	other variables = v_a, v_myvar, ...
	math functions = div(x,y), mult(x,y), add(x,y), ...
	group functions = mass(group), xcm(group,x), ...
	atom values = x[123], y[3], vx[34], ...
	compute values = c_mytemp[0], c_thermo_press[3], ...

	Adding keywords for the "thermo_style custom"_thermo_style.html command
	(which can then be accessed by variables) was discussed
	"here"_Section_modify.html#thermo on this page.

	Adding a new math function of one or two arguments can be done by
	editing one section of the Variable::evaulate() method. Search for
	the word "customize" to find the appropriate location.

	Adding a new group function can be done by editing one section of the
	Variable::evaulate() method. Search for the word "customize" to find
	the appropriate location. You may need to add a new method to the
	Group class as well (see the group.cpp file).

	Accessing a new atom-based vector can be done by editing one section
	of the Variable::evaulate() method. Search for the word "customize"
	to find the appropriate location.

	Adding new "compute styles"_compute.html (whose calculated values can
	then be accessed by variables) was discussed
	"here"_Section_modify.html#compute on this page.

	:line
	:line

	10.15 Submitting new features for inclusion in LAMMPS :link(mod_15),h4

	We encourage users to submit new features that they add to LAMMPS to
	"the developers"_http://lammps.sandia.gov/authors.html, especially if
	you think the features will be of interest to other users. If they
	are broadly useful we may add them as core files to LAMMPS or as part
	of a "standard package"_Section_start.html#start_3. Else we will add
	them as a user-contributed package or file. Examples of user packages
	are in src sub-directories that start with USER. The USER-MISC
	package is simply a collection of (mostly) unrelated single files,
	which is the simplest way to have your contribution quickly added to
	the LAMMPS distribution. You can see a list of the both standard and
	user packages by typing "make package" in the LAMMPS src directory.

	With user packages and files, all we are really providing (aside from
	the fame and fortune that accompanies having your name in the source
	code and on the "Authors page"_http://lammps.sandia.gov/authors.html
	of the "LAMMPS WWW site"_lws), is a means for you to distribute your
	work to the LAMMPS user community and a mechanism for others to easily
	try out your new feature. This may help you find bugs or make contact
	with new collaborators. Note that you're also implicitly agreeing to
	support your code which means answer questions, fix bugs, and maintain
	it if LAMMPS changes.

	The previous sections of this doc page describe how to add new
	features of various kinds to LAMMPS. Packages are simply collections
	of one or more new class files which are invoked as a new "style"
	within a LAMMPS input script. If designed correctly, these additions
	do not require changes to the main core of LAMMPS; they are simply
	add-on files. If you think your new feature requires non-trivial
	changes in core LAMMPS files, you'll need to "communicate with the
	developers"_http://lammps.sandia.gov/authors.html, since we may or may
	not want to make those changes. An example of a trivial change is
	making a parent-class method "virtual" when you derive a new child
	class from it.

	Here is what you need to do to submit a user package or single file
	for our consideration. Following these steps will save time for both
	you and us. See existing package files for examples.

	All source files you provide must compile with the most current
	version of LAMMPS. :ulb,l

	If your contribution is a single file (actually a .cpp and .h file)
	it can most rapidly be added to the USER-MISC directory. Send us the
	one-line entry to add to the USER-MISC/README file in that dir, along
	with the 2 source files. You can do this multiple times if you wish
	to contribute several individual features. :l

	If your contribution is several related featues, it is probably best
	to make it a user package directory with a name like USER-FOO. In
	addition to your new files, the directory should contain a README, and
	Install.csh file. The README text file should contain your name and
	contact information and a brief description of what your new package
	does. The Install.csh file enables LAMMPS to include and exclude your
	package. See other README and Install.sh files in other USER
	directories as examples. Send us a tarball of this USER-FOO
	directory. :l

	Your new source files need to have the LAMMPS copyright, GPL notice,
	and your name at the top, like other LAMMPS source files. They need
	to create a class that is inside the LAMMPS namespace. Other than
	that, your files can do whatever is necessary to implement the new
	features. They don't have to be written in the same stylistic format
	and syntax as other LAMMPS files, though that would be nice. :l

	Finally, you must also send a documentation file for each new command
	or style you are adding to LAMMPS. This will be one file for a
	single-file feature. For a package, it might be several files. These
	are simple text files which we will convert to HTML. They must be in
	the same format as other *.txt files in the lammps/doc directory for
	similar commands and styles. The "Restrictions" section of the doc
	page should indicate that your command is only available if LAMMPS is
	built with the appropriate USER-MISC or USER-FOO package. See other
	user package doc files for an example of how to do this. The txt2html
	tool we use to do the conversion can be downloaded from "this
	site"_http://www.sandia.gov/~sjplimp/download.html, so you can perform
	the HTML conversion yourself to proofread your doc page. :l,ule

	Note that the more clear and self-explanatory you make your doc and
	README files, the more likely it is that users will try out your new
	feature.

	:line
	:line

	:link(Foo)
	[(Foo)] Foo, Morefoo, and Maxfoo, J of Classic Potentials, 75, 345 (1997).

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