On Tue, Nov 2, 2010 at 7:39 PM, MZMcBride <[email protected]> wrote:
> Rob Lanphier wrote:
>> After review, some (but not all) of the features in the review queue
>> then need to be reviewed for checking into the deployment branch.  Our
>> short term answer to that was the deployment queue:
>> http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Deployment_queue
>
> I have a few comments.
>
> You're chomping at the edges again, but not focusing on the larger issue.
> It's still about _WHO_ is going to be deploying these extensions (or doing
> general code updates). That question is still unresolved and it's at the
> heart of the problem. By focusing on the periphery, you're simply needlessly
> adding paperwork (like the new "Deployment queue") without actually
> accomplishing anything. Read on for a specific example of why deployment is
> sometimes the sole issue, not review.
>

+1. I feel like we're trying to change a workflow when we should be
trying to get rid of a backlog. Instead of trying to discuss ways to
improve the workflow, we should Just Do It.

For example, I don't agree that the code review workflow is a bit
awkward. However, when Tim had to leave and we needed people
to step up reviewing--we just stepped up; we didn't discuss how to
first improve the process.

Likewise, I think we should first focus on enabling more people to
do merge+scap (maybe the same group who review code?) and
get it going on a more often basis.

Having a good workflow is great, but I think we should look at the
bigger issue first. We can design the best workflow ever, but like
code review if only one person does it it all falls apart.

> The issue with focusing on a "Review queue" is that it puts the focus and
> emphasis in the wrong place. Nobody cares about getting their code reviewed
> (per se). They want their code live on the site. Most developers don't care
> if their code is efficient or not (Domas can speak more to this), they just
> want to see their hard work in production. That's why they contribute code
> (or contributed, as the case seems to be nowadays). So the emphasis should
> be on deployment, a key step of which is code review, to be sure. But
> putting the focus on review (as though once review is finished, something
> will magically change) is silly and a poor idea.
>

IMHO: If minor** code has been reviewed and deemed fit for use, it should
be merged almost immediately. Full stop.

** by minor, I mean as long as it doesn't create dependency issues, require
schema changes, or are a huge refactor.

-Chad

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