Coming Soon: Stable D Releases!

[Jacob Carlborg]

On 2012-07-25 19:17, Leandro Lucarella wrote:

> Like Linux's "merge window". It's simple, you accept new features just
> for a short period of time, and then just work on stabilizing things and
> bug fixing.

Yes, exactly.

> That said, I wish D never include new features (as a language) unless
> there is a stable branch, which is still maintained for some time and
> don't get them.

I don't mind new features once in a while, if it's done correctly.

> Bare in mind that DMD != D Programming Language, so adding new features
> to DMD is perfectly fine for me, like COFF or a new architecture. As
> long as it doesn't break old code is fine.

I agree. That is another, slightly related problem with D. Currently, D 
programming language == DMD == Druntime == Phobos. They're all to 
closely connected. There should be possible to just to a release of 
Phobos, for example. Or a release of DMD with just bug fixes.

> The window doesn't need to be too long, you can always develop new
> features in parallel in your own branch while a release is being
> stabilized. You don't have to wait for the merge window to open to
> develop new features, is just a *merge* window, when it's open you're
> new feature should be done already, the window is only there to say
> "hey! Please pull from this branch!".

Exactly.

> If you want a monthly release, I'd say a 1 week merge window is enough
> (leaves you with 3 weeks for stabilization).

Yes, the merge window depends on how often we release.

-- 
/Jacob Carlborg