.. _using-arc:

Using ARC
=========

You can use ARC for research or study in different ways:

- Direct Access: You can download the latest ARC versions as `GitHub releases <https://github.com/ISARICResearch/ARC/releases>`_.

- Integration with BRIDGE: ARC is fully integrated into the `BRIDGE <https://bridge.isaric.org>`_ software tool for CRF generation.

- Converting data to the ISARIC schema: ARC defines the standardized :ref:`ISARIC data schema <isaric-data-schema>` used across the ISARIC ecosystem. If your data was collected via BRIDGE / REDCap, a parser can be auto-generated using ``schemas/draft_parser.py``. For data collected with other tools, you can write a custom parser using `ADTL <https://adtl.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html>`_ — see :ref:`writing-a-parser` for a worked example.

- Contributions: While contributions to the ARC schema and related documents are limited to authorized users, you can create GitHub `issues <https://github.com/ISARICResearch/ARC/issues>`_ or `discussions <https://github.com/ISARICResearch/ARC/discussions>`_ for raising questions, suggestions, or clarifications.