On Feb 8, 2007, at 6:28 AM, Geoffrey Winn wrote:
Does it do any actual harm to have a branch, even if not everyone
thinks
it's necessary?
I would say it depends on the purpose of the branch. If the intent is
stabilization for a release where only bug fixes are introduced, then
I think it is a good thing since it allows development (e.g. new
features) to continue in trunk without disrupting the release. There
is also the case of revolution or experimentation where people want
to try out radically new ideas; it seems like sandbox is a better
place for that type of work. Another case is new development on an
existing codeline, e.g. SCA .95, which seems appropriate for a branch.
However, I'm not sure either of those are a goal of the current
branch proposal. The list of "requirements" posted to the wiki entail
a significant number of new features that are intended to be done in
trunk (e.g. "support for SCA 1.0"). It doesn't seem like the goal is
revolution. For example, Sebastien mentioned his criteria for
integrating new code developed in trunk: "I'll be happy to
synchronize with pieces of it [kernel trunk], as long as the samples
and integration tests work".
Maybe someone could explain the goals of the branch? Specifically, it
would help me if someone could answer a few questions:
- Is development going to take place there or is it just to
"stabilize" for a release?
- If development is going to take place, is it for SCA .95 or SCA 1.0?
- Why can't new development be done in trunk? It would be
particularly helpful to understand specifics so that people working
in kernel and other areas can resolve them.
- What code would serve as the basis of the branch? For example, M2
or another tag?
Presumably that gives the people that want stability a place
to work and at worst they've bought themselves some extra work
merging back
into the main development stream later.
My previous experience (3 major occasions) has been that code
branches often
turn out to be more trouble than they are worth, but just
occasionally they
can be the right answer.
My experience has been the same. I'd really like to understand the
intent of branching a little more, and specifically how it relates to
the release work already underway in trunk.
Jim
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