Re: Git Debug Branch

From: Andrey Semashev (andrey.semashev_at_[hidden])
Date: 2025-04-10 20:57:46

On 10 Apr 2025 23:38, Robert Ramey via Boost wrote:
> Sometime ago someone made the case that we should drop the Debug branch
> in the git storage for the libraries.  I found the case pretty
> convincing and endorsed the change.  However, it seems that the idea was
> not well received and the idea was not adopted.  I hope my endorsement
> wasn't responsable for it's being dismissed.
> 
> Now it seems that the idea HAS been adopted.  I've found in both the
> libraries I maintain, some "maintainers" check into the master branch
> directly from a feature branch used for debugging.  This was kind of
> problematic as the debug and master branch were no longer easily
> understood by doing a diff.  Worse, other "maintainers" check into the
> debug branch in the traditional way leaving the merge to master as a
> separate operation in the traditional manner.  My custom has been to
> merger to master just before the next release.
> 
> I only dip into maintenance occasionally, so I don't remember all the
> details and I have to spend a lot of time looking at who did what.  So,
> I'm announcing that I am unilaterally declaring soon I will be leaving
> the debug branch aside and not use it in the future.  Those who have the
> authority to directly make changes in these libraries (as opposed do
> making a merge request) should know that any pushes to the debug branch
> will be lost.

First, I'm assuming you mean the develop branch, not debug.

Second, the two branches are referenced by the superproject and
therefore are used by all submodules, including those which are not
maintained by you. If you stop updating develop, this will eventually
affect any downstream libraries, potentially breaking them.

If this is your intention (is it?) then I guess this signals downstream
libraries to stop depending on your libraries. I'm not sure how it
affects the superproject and the release procedure, but it raises the
question of whether the libraries should stay in Boost in this state or
be eventually removed (which would be unfortunate).

I'm curious, what is the problem with develop are you facing that
warrants such a change?