diff --git a/doc/Github.md b/doc/Github.md index de7e546e3e..cfdb014764 100644 --- a/doc/Github.md +++ b/doc/Github.md @@ -3,7 +3,10 @@ Friendica on Github * [Home](help) -**Here is how you can work on the code with us** +Here is how you can work on the code with us. If you have any questions please write to the Friendica developers' forum. + +Introduction to the workflow with our Github repository +------------------------------------------------------- 1. Install git on the system you will be developing on. 2. Create your own [github](https://github.com) account. @@ -13,23 +16,55 @@ Follow the instructions provided here: [http://help.github.com/fork-a-repo/](htt 5. Commit your changes to your fork. Then go to your github page and create a "Pull request" to notify us to merge your work. -**Branches** +Our Git Branches +---------------- -There are two branches in the main repo on Github: +There are two relevant branches in the main repo on Github: 1. master: This branch contains stable releases only. 2. develop: This branch contains the latest code. This is what you want to work with. -**Important** +Fast-forwarding +--------------- -Please pull in any changes from the project repository and merge them with your work **before** issuing a pull request. +Fast forwarding is enabled by default in git. +When you merge with fast-forwarding it does not add a new commit to mark when you've performed the merge and how. +This means in your commit history you can't know exactly what happened in terms of merges. +**It's best to turn off fast-forwarding.** +This is done by running "git merge --no-ff". +[Here](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/5519007/how-do-i-make-git-merges-default-be-no-ff-no-commit) is an explanation on how to configure git to turn off fast-forwarding by default. +You can find some more background reading [here](http://nvie.com/posts/a-successful-git-branching-model/). + +Release branches +---------------- + +A release branch is created when the develop branch contains all features it should have. +A release branch is used for a few things. + +1. It allows last-minute bug fixing before the release goes to master branch. +2. It allows meta-data changes (README, CHANGELOG, etc.) for version bumps and documentation changes. +3. It makes sure the develop branch can receive new features that are **not** part of this release. + +That last point is important because... +**The moment a release branch is created, develop is now intended for the version after this release**. +So please don't ever merge develop into a release! +An example: If a release branch "release-3.4" is created, "develop" becomes either 3.5 or 4.0. +If you were to merge develop into release-3.4 at this point, features and bug-fixes intended for 3.5 or 4.0 might leak into this release branch. +This might introduce new bugs, too. +Which defeats the purpose of the release branch. + +Some important reminders +------------------------ + +1. Please pull in any changes from the project repository and merge them with your work **before** issuing a pull request. We reserve the right to reject any patch which results in a large number of merge conflicts. This is especially true in the case of language translations - where we may not be able to understand the subtle differences between conflicting versions. -Also - **test your changes**. -Don't assume that a simple fix won't break something else. +2. **Test your changes**. +Don't assume that a simple fix won't break anything else. If possible get an experienced Friendica developer to review the code. +Don't hesitate to ask us in case of doubt. Check out how to work with [our Vagrant](help/Vagrant) to save a lot of setup time!