Re: [boost] [SVN]Best Practices for developers using SVN

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2007-08-03 17:42:15

on Fri Aug 03 2007, "Robert Ramey" <ramey-AT-rrsd.com> wrote:

> David Abrahams wrote:
>> on Thu Aug 02 2007, "Robert Ramey" <ramey-AT-rrsd.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Of course the beauty of this is we really don't all have to agree.
>>> You're free to improve the tools for trunk testing and the like and
>>> those of us who want to are free to use branches for development.
>>
>> You could have been using branches for development all along.  I do it
>> often.  It helps me get work done without worrying about other
>> peoples' changes, and gives me a place to check in my work at
>> intermediate points when it isn't ready for release. However, it
>> doesn't change anything fundamental about the release process.
>
> As a practical matter, thats what a number of us are effectively doing.
>
> We're running development tests on our local system against
> the latest release.  There is currently no real value in creating
> a branch because that branch is never going to get tested
> anywhere besides one's local machine anyway.

Of course there's value:

* If you are suddenly killed or your server implodes, your
  intermediate work is preserved.

* You can collaborate with other Boosters through the repository.

* Merging is easier and more reliable (using svnmerge.py, or the
  upcoming svn 1.5) because the revision control system knows where
  everything came from and where it's going.

* Other people can observe and/or coordinate with development in
  process.

> And you're correct, this doesn't change the fundamental release
> procedures. It keeps the release procedures from making
> our own lives difficult.  

And how did release procedures ever make our lives as developers
difficult?

> So from an individual developer's standpoint, its not really that
> great a problem anymore.

What isn't a problem?

> Except for the tools we have to use - which is a whole other thread.

The one we ought to be spending keystrokes on.  Or, better yet, work
cycles.
http://www.flynnfiles.com/archives/world_events2007/roll_up_your_sleeves.html

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
http://www.boost-consulting.com
The Astoria Seminar ==> http://www.astoriaseminar.com