quarterly branches and transition to post-pkg_* [was: svn commit: r364739 - in head: . sysutils sysu [...]

[Carlo Strub]

15/08/2014 08:22 - John Marino wrote:

> On 8/13/2014 09:55, John Marino wrote:
> > On 8/13/2014 09:45, Alexey Dokuchaev wrote:
> >> [*] Well, there are quarterly branches if one wants it to feel like Debian
> >>     stable without the quality control; IMHO they are of no use and should
> >>     be ignored altogether.
> > 
> > 
> > In concept the quarterly branches are a good idea.  Execution is a
> > different matter.
> > 
> > #1 issue: There's no portsnap with quarterly branches
> > #2 issue: backporting fixes to quarterly branch, the process is a PITA
> > #3 issue: There's no basic integrity check (e.g. freeze) before branching
> > 
> > 
> > We have a huge problem looming: The pkg_* tools are going to be removed,
> > maybe as soon as 1 September.
> > 
> > I think the following should happen:
> > 1) A version of portsnap be modified and added to the ports tree before
> > then, a version that is quarter-branch capable
> > 2) Waiting until 2014Q4 before removing pkg_* tools, which means at
> > least wait until Oct 1.
> > 3) Encourage everyone that has no intention to move to pkgng immediately
> > to switch to the 2014Q4 branch
> > 4) Maintain security updates to 2014Q4 branch for 6 months instead of
> > the normal 3 months
> > 5) Get the updated portsnap into base
> > 
> > And eventually make quarterly branches the norm and working on head "at
> > your own risk".
> > 
> > 
> > Right now I see no plan for the post-pkg_* transition and the absence of
> > one is pretty scary.  You guys should consider my proposal above or
> > something similar.
> > 
> > 
> > John
> 
> Should I re-post this in developers@?
> Or does everyone think providing an outlet for those that can't adjust
> to pkg_* tools removal by 1 Sept is unnecessary?
> 
> John
> 
> 
> 


I agree on one thing with the poster: it would be nice to have portsnap doing also quarterly branches. Apart from that, I think the current set-up is very good and, honestly, patching a quarterly branch is easy (for those who don't know yet, please use the script in Tools).

Carlo