SWC files (file extension of .swc) are text-based (ASCII text) files that describe three-dimensional neuronal or glial morphology. These digital reconstructions represent morphology as a vectorized tree structure, made of a series of connected nodes. An SWC file contains a series of text-based rows where each neuron node is described by a single row of only seven space-separated values. The format is simple and intuitive; a parser of or writer to the format could be implemented by anyone with knowledge of any programming language.

The purpose of this best practice is to elaborate the principles of open and reproducible research for neuroimaging using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). It covers: 1. experimental design reporting, 2. image acquisition reporting, 3. preprocessing reporting, 4. statistical modeling, 5. results reporting, 6. data sharing, and 7. reproducibility. For each of seven areas of a study, a tabular listing of over 100 items to help plan, execute, report, and share research in the most transparent fashion is provided.

NeuroImaging Data Model (NIDM)-Results provides a representation of mass univariate neuroimaging analysis results, unified across analysis software packages. Implementation of NIDM-Results within FSL and SPM, two of the main neuroimaging software packages, provides an automated solution to share maps generated by neuroimaging studies along with their metadata.

The Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) is a standard prescribing a formal way to name and organize MRI data and metadata in a file system that simplifies communication and collaboration between users and enables easier data validation and software development through using consistent paths and naming for data files.