~bzr-pqm/bzr/bzr.dev

2977.1.10 by Ian Clatworthy
2nd cut at Distributed collaboration chapter
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Organizing branches
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===================
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Mirror branches
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---------------
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A primary difference when using distributed workflows to
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develop is that your main local branch is not the place
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to make changes. Instead, it is kept as a pristine copy
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of the central branch, i.e. it's a *mirror branch*.
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To create a mirror branch, set-up a shared repository
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(if you haven't already) and then use the ``branch``
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(or ``checkout``) command to create the mirror.
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For example::
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3918.1.1 by Jari Aalto
In user guide, use 'PROJECT' as a metavariable not 'X-repo'
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  bzr init-repo PROJECT
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  cd PROJECT
5761.1.1 by Martin Pool
Recommend SSH rather than SFTP in user documentation examples
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  bzr branch bzr+ssh://centralhost/srv/bzr/PROJECT/trunk
2977.1.10 by Ian Clatworthy
2nd cut at Distributed collaboration chapter
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Task branches
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-------------
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Each new feature or fix is developed in its own branch.
3535.2.1 by Viktor Nagy
corrected some typos
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These branches are referred to as *feature branches* or
4011.6.1 by Frank Aspell
Fixed typos.
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*task branches* - the terms are used interchangeably.
2977.1.10 by Ian Clatworthy
2nd cut at Distributed collaboration chapter
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To create a task branch, use the ``branch`` command
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against your mirror branch. For example::
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3918.1.1 by Jari Aalto
In user guide, use 'PROJECT' as a metavariable not 'X-repo'
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  bzr branch trunk fix-123
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  cd fix-123
2977.1.10 by Ian Clatworthy
2nd cut at Distributed collaboration chapter
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  (hack, hack, hack)
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There are numerous advantages to this approach:
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 1. You can work on multiple changes in parallel
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 2. There is reduced coupling between changes
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 3. Multiple people can work in a peer-to-peer mode
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    on a branch until it is ready to go.
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In particular, some changes take longer to cook than others
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so you can ask for reviews, apply feedback, ask for another
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review, etc. By completing work to sufficient quality in
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separate branches before merging into a central branch, the
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quality and stability of the central branch are maintained
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at higher level than they otherwise would be.
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Refreshing a mirror branch
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--------------------------
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Use the ``pull`` command to do this::
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3918.1.1 by Jari Aalto
In user guide, use 'PROJECT' as a metavariable not 'X-repo'
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  cd trunk
2977.1.10 by Ian Clatworthy
2nd cut at Distributed collaboration chapter
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  bzr pull
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Merging the latest trunk into a feature branch
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----------------------------------------------
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Use the ``merge`` command to do this::
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3918.1.1 by Jari Aalto
In user guide, use 'PROJECT' as a metavariable not 'X-repo'
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  cd fix-123
2977.1.10 by Ian Clatworthy
2nd cut at Distributed collaboration chapter
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  bzr merge
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  (resolve any conflicts)
3918.1.1 by Jari Aalto
In user guide, use 'PROJECT' as a metavariable not 'X-repo'
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  bzr commit -m "merged trunk"
2977.1.10 by Ian Clatworthy
2nd cut at Distributed collaboration chapter
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Merging a feature into the trunk
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--------------------------------
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The policies for different distributed workflows vary here.
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The simple case where all developers have commit rights to
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the main trunk are shown below.
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If your mirror is a checkout::
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3918.1.1 by Jari Aalto
In user guide, use 'PROJECT' as a metavariable not 'X-repo'
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  cd trunk
2977.1.10 by Ian Clatworthy
2nd cut at Distributed collaboration chapter
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  bzr update
3918.1.1 by Jari Aalto
In user guide, use 'PROJECT' as a metavariable not 'X-repo'
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  bzr merge ../fix-123
2977.1.10 by Ian Clatworthy
2nd cut at Distributed collaboration chapter
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  (resolve any conflicts)
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  bzr commit -m "Fixed bug #123"
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If your mirror is a branch::
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3918.1.1 by Jari Aalto
In user guide, use 'PROJECT' as a metavariable not 'X-repo'
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  cd trunk
2977.1.10 by Ian Clatworthy
2nd cut at Distributed collaboration chapter
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  bzr pull
3918.1.1 by Jari Aalto
In user guide, use 'PROJECT' as a metavariable not 'X-repo'
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  bzr merge ../fix-123
2977.1.10 by Ian Clatworthy
2nd cut at Distributed collaboration chapter
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  (resolve any conflicts)
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  bzr commit -m "Fixed bug #123"
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  bzr push
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Backing up task branches
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------------------------
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One of the side effects of centralized workflows is that changes
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get frequently committed to a central location which is backed up as
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part of normal IT operations. When developing on task branches,
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it is a good idea to publish your work to a central location
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(but not necessarily a shared location) that will be backed up.
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You may even wish to bind local task branches to remote ones
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established on a backup server just for this purpose.