Appropriate description of image processing algorithm in engineering I want to write a paper in the field of mechanical engineering. For the evaluation of my experiments, I would like to use image processing. When image processing software is used in my field of research, it is for the most part heavily based on or at least closely related to digital image correlation. However, in my particular case, I believe it is more appropriate not to rely on digital image correlation and solve the problem on my own using &quot;classical&quot; image processing. Using my hardly existent programming skills, I developed some python code and want to incorporate it into said paper. I should probably mention, that the code shall not be the focus of the (mostly experimental) paper and more of an &quot;accessory&quot;.
Now, I have encountered a problem: I could not find many research papers in my field that got into detail with their self-written code, especially regarding image processing. Hence, unfortunately, there are few examples to learn from. Furthermore, I do not think that many of the readers of the paper will be familiar with image processing to a greater extent in the first place. However, in my opinion, just stating I developed some software and showing the results is not sufficient.
How much details on my code should I give? Is it already sufficient to show a flowchart and to briefly describe the software? Should I state which python libraries and modules I used? Are there some guidelines that a non-computer-scientist should use when describing software to non-computer-scientists? Does one of you have good examples? Unfortunately, as my programming &quot;skills&quot; are mostly self-taught and rather poor, I am afraid to just upload my code into a repository to &quot;speak for itself&quot; would neither be helpful for comprehension nor good for my reputation.
What do you think? I would very much appreciate all your ideas and opinions.
Your paper should focus on your contribution to the field, not to the field of image processing (if I understand your question).  Your paper will likely have some form of &quot;approach&quot; or &quot;setup&quot; section or something to the effect.  If this is a novel algorithm, you may choose to describe it there.  A common thing to use is a LaTeX &quot;Algorithm&quot; environment, and provide pseudocode.  If the algorithm is very complex or detailed, consider breaking it into pieces.  If it is truly novel, consider publishing it!
An alternative would be to have some way to publicly access the code, say github or your institution's personal websites, with an explanation there.  Again, a pseudocode algorithm is probably sufficient.
If your paper is accepted but you are asked to revise the description of the code, do so according to the comments.  Otherwise, unless there is a lot missing from the main paper's description of its contribution, your paper will not be rejected or accepted based on this detail.