BigW Consortium Gitlab

Commit 3e0f512b by Dmitriy Zaporozhets

Merge pull request #8497 from cirosantilli/h1-workflow-readme

doc workflow markdown style
parents afccd324 05a6115b
# Workflow
- [Workflow](workflow.md) - [Workflow](workflow.md)
- [Project Features](project_features.md) - [Project Features](project_features.md)
- [Authorization for merge requests](authorization_for_merge_requests.md) - [Authorization for merge requests](authorization_for_merge_requests.md)
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![GitLab Flow](gitlab_flow.png) ![GitLab Flow](gitlab_flow.png)
# Introduction ## Introduction
Version management with git makes branching and merging much easier than older versioning systems such as SVN. Version management with git makes branching and merging much easier than older versioning systems such as SVN.
This allows a wide variety of branching strategies and workflows. This allows a wide variety of branching strategies and workflows.
...@@ -29,9 +29,9 @@ People have a hard time figuring out which branch they should develop on or depl ...@@ -29,9 +29,9 @@ People have a hard time figuring out which branch they should develop on or depl
Frequently the reaction to this problem is to adopt a standardized pattern such as [git flow](http://nvie.com/posts/a-successful-git-branching-model/) and [GitHub flow](http://scottchacon.com/2011/08/31/github-flow.html) Frequently the reaction to this problem is to adopt a standardized pattern such as [git flow](http://nvie.com/posts/a-successful-git-branching-model/) and [GitHub flow](http://scottchacon.com/2011/08/31/github-flow.html)
We think there is still room for improvement and will detail a set of practices we call GitLab flow. We think there is still room for improvement and will detail a set of practices we call GitLab flow.
# Git flow and its problems ## Git flow and its problems
[![Git Flow timeline by Vincent Driessen, used with persmission](gitdashflow.png) [![Git Flow timeline by Vincent Driessen, used with permission](gitdashflow.png)
Git flow was one of the first proposals to use git branches and it has gotten a lot of attention. Git flow was one of the first proposals to use git branches and it has gotten a lot of attention.
It advocates a master branch and a separate develop branch as well as supporting branches for features, releases and hotfixes. It advocates a master branch and a separate develop branch as well as supporting branches for features, releases and hotfixes.
...@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ Frequently developers make a mistake and for example changes are only merged int ...@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ Frequently developers make a mistake and for example changes are only merged int
The root cause of these errors is that git flow is too complex for most of the use cases. The root cause of these errors is that git flow is too complex for most of the use cases.
And doing releases doesn't automatically mean also doing hotfixes. And doing releases doesn't automatically mean also doing hotfixes.
# GitHub flow as a simpler alternative ## GitHub flow as a simpler alternative
![Master branch with feature branches merged in](github_flow.png) ![Master branch with feature branches merged in](github_flow.png)
...@@ -62,13 +62,13 @@ Merging everything into the master branch and deploying often means you minimize ...@@ -62,13 +62,13 @@ Merging everything into the master branch and deploying often means you minimize
But this flow still leaves a lot of questions unanswered regarding deployments, environments, releases and integrations with issues. But this flow still leaves a lot of questions unanswered regarding deployments, environments, releases and integrations with issues.
With GitLab flow we offer additional guidance for these questions. With GitLab flow we offer additional guidance for these questions.
# Production branch with GitLab flow ## Production branch with GitLab flow
![Master branch and production branch with arrow that indicate deployments](production_branch.png) ![Master branch and production branch with arrow that indicate deployments](production_branch.png)
GitHub flow does assume you are able to deploy to production every time you merge a feature branch. GitHub flow does assume you are able to deploy to production every time you merge a feature branch.
This is possible for SaaS applications but are many cases where this is not possible. This is possible for SaaS applications but are many cases where this is not possible.
One would be a situation where you are not in control of the exact release moment, for example an iOS application that needs to pass AppStore validation. One would be a situation where you are not in control of the exact release moment, for example an iOS application that needs to pass App Store validation.
Another example is when you have deployment windows (workdays from 10am to 4pm when the operations team is at full capacity) but you also merge code at other times. Another example is when you have deployment windows (workdays from 10am to 4pm when the operations team is at full capacity) but you also merge code at other times.
In these cases you can make a production branch that reflects the deployed code. In these cases you can make a production branch that reflects the deployed code.
You can deploy a new version by merging in master to the production branch. You can deploy a new version by merging in master to the production branch.
...@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ This time is pretty accurate if you automatically deploy your production branch. ...@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ This time is pretty accurate if you automatically deploy your production branch.
If you need a more exact time you can have your deployment script create a tag on each deployment. If you need a more exact time you can have your deployment script create a tag on each deployment.
This flow prevents the overhead of releasing, tagging and merging that is common to git flow. This flow prevents the overhead of releasing, tagging and merging that is common to git flow.
# Environment branches with GitLab flow ## Environment branches with GitLab flow
![Multiple branches with the code cascading from one to another](environment_branches.png) ![Multiple branches with the code cascading from one to another](environment_branches.png)
...@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ If master is good to go (it should be if you a practicing [continuous delivery]( ...@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ If master is good to go (it should be if you a practicing [continuous delivery](
If this is not possible because more manual testing is required you can send merge requests from the feature branch to the downstream branches. If this is not possible because more manual testing is required you can send merge requests from the feature branch to the downstream branches.
An 'extreme' version of environment branches are setting up an environment for each feature branch as done by [Teatro](http://teatro.io/). An 'extreme' version of environment branches are setting up an environment for each feature branch as done by [Teatro](http://teatro.io/).
# Release branches with GitLab flow ## Release branches with GitLab flow
![Master and multiple release branches that vary in length with cherrypicks from master](release_branches.png) ![Master and multiple release branches that vary in length with cherrypicks from master](release_branches.png)
...@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ Every time a bug-fix is included in a release branch the patch version is raised ...@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ Every time a bug-fix is included in a release branch the patch version is raised
Some projects also have a stable branch that points to the same commit as the latest released branch. Some projects also have a stable branch that points to the same commit as the latest released branch.
In this flow it is not common to have a production branch (or git flow master branch). In this flow it is not common to have a production branch (or git flow master branch).
# Merge/pull requests with GitLab flow ## Merge/pull requests with GitLab flow
![Merge request with line comments](mr_inline_comments.png) ![Merge request with line comments](mr_inline_comments.png)
...@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ If the assigned person does not feel comfortable they can close the merge reques ...@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ If the assigned person does not feel comfortable they can close the merge reques
In GitLab it is common to protect the long-lived branches (e.g. the master branch) so that normal developers [can't modify these protected branches](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/blob/master/doc/permissions/permissions.md). In GitLab it is common to protect the long-lived branches (e.g. the master branch) so that normal developers [can't modify these protected branches](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/blob/master/doc/permissions/permissions.md).
So if you want to merge it into a protected branch you assign it to someone with master authorizations. So if you want to merge it into a protected branch you assign it to someone with master authorizations.
# Issues with GitLab flow ## Issues with GitLab flow
![Merge request with the branch name 15-require-a-password-to-change-it and assignee field shown](merge_request.png) ![Merge request with the branch name 15-require-a-password-to-change-it and assignee field shown](merge_request.png)
...@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ In this case it is no problem to reuse the same branch name since it was deleted ...@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ In this case it is no problem to reuse the same branch name since it was deleted
At any time there is at most one branch for every issue. At any time there is at most one branch for every issue.
It is possible that one feature branch solves more than one issue. It is possible that one feature branch solves more than one issue.
# Linking and closing issues from merge requests ## Linking and closing issues from merge requests
![Merge request showing the linked issues that will be closed](close_issue_mr.png) ![Merge request showing the linked issues that will be closed](close_issue_mr.png)
...@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ If you only want to make the reference without closing the issue you can also ju ...@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ If you only want to make the reference without closing the issue you can also ju
If you have an issue that spans across multiple repositories, the best thing is to create an issue for each repository and link all issues to a parent issue. If you have an issue that spans across multiple repositories, the best thing is to create an issue for each repository and link all issues to a parent issue.
# Squashing commits with rebase ## Squashing commits with rebase
![Vim screen showing the rebase view](rebase.png) ![Vim screen showing the rebase view](rebase.png)
...@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ With git you can use an interactive rebase (rebase -i) to squash multiple commit ...@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ With git you can use an interactive rebase (rebase -i) to squash multiple commit
This functionality is useful if you made a couple of commits for small changes during development and want to replace them with a single commit or if you want to make the order more logical. This functionality is useful if you made a couple of commits for small changes during development and want to replace them with a single commit or if you want to make the order more logical.
However you should never rebase commits you have pushed to a remote server. However you should never rebase commits you have pushed to a remote server.
Somebody can have referred to the commits or cherry-picked them. Somebody can have referred to the commits or cherry-picked them.
When you rebase you change the identifier (SHA1) of the commit and this is confusing. When you rebase you change the identifier (SHA-1) of the commit and this is confusing.
If you do that the same change will be known under multiple identifiers and this can cause much confusion. If you do that the same change will be known under multiple identifiers and this can cause much confusion.
If people already reviewed your code it will be hard for them to review only the improvements you made since then if you have rebased everything into one commit. If people already reviewed your code it will be hard for them to review only the improvements you made since then if you have rebased everything into one commit.
...@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ If you revert a merge and you change your mind, revert the revert instead of mer ...@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ If you revert a merge and you change your mind, revert the revert instead of mer
Being able to revert a merge is a good reason always to create a merge commit when you merge manually with the `--no-ff` option. Being able to revert a merge is a good reason always to create a merge commit when you merge manually with the `--no-ff` option.
Git management software will always create a merge commit when you accept a merge request. Git management software will always create a merge commit when you accept a merge request.
# Do not order commits with rebase ## Do not order commits with rebase
![List of sequential merge commits](merge_commits.png) ![List of sequential merge commits](merge_commits.png)
...@@ -231,8 +231,8 @@ The last reason for creating merge commits is having long lived branches that yo ...@@ -231,8 +231,8 @@ The last reason for creating merge commits is having long lived branches that yo
Martin Fowler, in [his article about feature branches](http://martinfowler.com/bliki/FeatureBranch.html) talks about this Continuous Integration (CI). Martin Fowler, in [his article about feature branches](http://martinfowler.com/bliki/FeatureBranch.html) talks about this Continuous Integration (CI).
At GitLab we are guilty of confusing CI with branch testing. Quoting Martin Fowler: "I've heard people say they are doing CI because they are running builds, perhaps using a CI server, on every branch with every commit. At GitLab we are guilty of confusing CI with branch testing. Quoting Martin Fowler: "I've heard people say they are doing CI because they are running builds, perhaps using a CI server, on every branch with every commit.
That's continuous building, and a Good Thing, but there's no integration, so it's not CI.". That's continuous building, and a Good Thing, but there's no integration, so it's not CI.".
The solution to prevent many merge commits is to keep your feature branches shortlived, the vast majority should take less than one day of work. The solution to prevent many merge commits is to keep your feature branches short-lived, the vast majority should take less than one day of work.
If your feature branches commenly take more than a day of work, look into ways to create smaller units of work and/or use [feature toggles](http://martinfowler.com/bliki/FeatureToggle.html). If your feature branches commonly take more than a day of work, look into ways to create smaller units of work and/or use [feature toggles](http://martinfowler.com/bliki/FeatureToggle.html).
As for the long running branches that take more than one day there are two strategies. As for the long running branches that take more than one day there are two strategies.
In a CI strategy you can merge in master at the start of the day to prevent painful merges at a later time. In a CI strategy you can merge in master at the start of the day to prevent painful merges at a later time.
In a synchronization point strategy you only merge in from well defined points in time, for example a tagged release. In a synchronization point strategy you only merge in from well defined points in time, for example a tagged release.
...@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ Developing software happen in small messy steps and it is OK to have your histor ...@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ Developing software happen in small messy steps and it is OK to have your histor
You can use tools to view the network graphs of commits and understand the messy history that created your code. You can use tools to view the network graphs of commits and understand the messy history that created your code.
If you rebase code the history is incorrect, and there is no way for tools to remedy this because they can't deal with changing commit identifiers. If you rebase code the history is incorrect, and there is no way for tools to remedy this because they can't deal with changing commit identifiers.
# Voting on merge requests ## Voting on merge requests
![Voting slider in GitLab](voting_slider.png) ![Voting slider in GitLab](voting_slider.png)
...@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ It is common to voice approval or disapproval by using +1 or -1 emoticons. ...@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ It is common to voice approval or disapproval by using +1 or -1 emoticons.
In GitLab the +1 and -1 are aggregated and shown at the top of the merge request. In GitLab the +1 and -1 are aggregated and shown at the top of the merge request.
As a rule of thumb anything that doesn't have two times more +1's than -1's is suspect and should not be merged yet. As a rule of thumb anything that doesn't have two times more +1's than -1's is suspect and should not be merged yet.
# Pushing and removing branches ## Pushing and removing branches
![Remove checkbox for branch in merge requests](remove_checkbox.png) ![Remove checkbox for branch in merge requests](remove_checkbox.png)
...@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ This ensures that the branch overview in the repository management software show ...@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ This ensures that the branch overview in the repository management software show
This also ensures that when someone reopens the issue a new branch with the same name can be used without problem. This also ensures that when someone reopens the issue a new branch with the same name can be used without problem.
When you reopen an issue you need to create a new merge request. When you reopen an issue you need to create a new merge request.
# Committing often and with the right message ## Committing often and with the right message
![Good and bad commit message](good_commit.png) ![Good and bad commit message](good_commit.png)
...@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ Some words that are bad commit messages because they don't contain munch informa ...@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ Some words that are bad commit messages because they don't contain munch informa
The word fix or fixes is also a red flag, unless it comes after the commit sentence and references an issue number. The word fix or fixes is also a red flag, unless it comes after the commit sentence and references an issue number.
To see more information about the formatting of commit messages please see this great [blog post by Tim Pope](http://tbaggery.com/2008/04/19/a-note-about-git-commit-messages.html). To see more information about the formatting of commit messages please see this great [blog post by Tim Pope](http://tbaggery.com/2008/04/19/a-note-about-git-commit-messages.html).
# Testing before merging ## Testing before merging
![Merge requests showing the test states, red, yellow and green](ci_mr.png) ![Merge requests showing the test states, red, yellow and green](ci_mr.png)
...@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ If there are no merge conflicts and the feature branches are short lived the ris ...@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ If there are no merge conflicts and the feature branches are short lived the ris
If there are merge conflicts you merge the master branch into the feature branch and the CI server will rerun the tests. If there are merge conflicts you merge the master branch into the feature branch and the CI server will rerun the tests.
If you have long lived feature branches that last for more than a few days you should make your issues smaller. If you have long lived feature branches that last for more than a few days you should make your issues smaller.
# Merging in other code ## Merging in other code
![Shell output showing git pull output](git_pull.png) ![Shell output showing git pull output](git_pull.png)
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