Overview of GitFlow

GitFlow is a branching model that aims to streamline collaborative development and continuous delivery. The model introduces multiple branches with specific roles:

  • Feature branches: For developing new features.
  • Develop branch: An integration branch for feature work.
  • Main (or Master) branch: A stable branch that always reflects production-ready code.

Using GitFlow, teams can ensure code quality, reduce integration issues, and maintain a clear history of changes.

Branching Strategy

  1. Feature Branches

Feature branches are created to develop new features, bug fixes, or other significant changes. They branch off from the develop branch and are named descriptively to reflect the work being done. For example, a new login feature might be developed on a branch called feature/login-page.

  1. Development Branch

The develop branch serves as the integration branch for feature branches. It contains the latest, bleeding-edge changes that are being prepared for the next release. It is essential to keep this branch stable to facilitate smooth integration of features.

  1. Main Branch

The main (or master) branch represents the stable, production-ready state of the project. It only contains code that has been thoroughly tested and reviewed. Releases are created by merging changes from develop into main.

Creating a Feature Branch

To create a new feature branch, follow these steps:

  • Ensure Your Local Repository is Up-to-Date:
git checkout develop
git pull origin develop
  • Create the Feature Branch:
git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name
  • Start Development: Begin coding on your feature branch. Commit your changes regularly with clear and concise commit messages.
git add .
git commit -m "Added initial implementation of [your feature]"
  • Push the Feature Branch to Remote:
git push origin feature/your-feature-name

Merging a Feature Branch into Develop

Once your feature is complete, it's time to merge it into the develop branch. Follow these steps:

1. Open a Pull Request

  • Go to your repository on GitHub (or any other Git hosting service) and open a Pull Request (PR) to merge your feature branch into develop.
  • Provide a clear title and description of the changes in the PR.

2. Code Review Process

  • The PR should be reviewed by at least one or more team members.
  • Reviewers should focus on code quality, functionality, and consistency with the project’s coding standards.
  • If there are any issues, feedback should be provided, and necessary changes should be made before approval.

3. Merging to Develop

  • Once the PR is approved, the feature branch can be merged into develop.

  • After merging, delete the feature branch both locally and remotely to keep the repository clean.

git branch -d feature/your-feature-name
git push origin --delete feature/your-feature-name

Merging Develop into Main

After a set of features or fixes are integrated into develop, the next step is to prepare for a release by merging into main.

1. Final Testing

  • Ensure that all features on develop have been tested thoroughly.
  • Run integration tests, unit tests, and any other relevant testing processes.

2. Preparing for Release

Update the CHANGELOG.md to reflect all changes. Update the version number as needed according to semantic versioning practices.

3. Merging and Tagging

  • Merge the develop branch into main:
git checkout main
git pull origin main
git merge --no-ff develop
  • Push the main branch:
git push origin main

Conclusion

GitFlow provides a structured approach to managing complex development projects. By following these best practices, teams can ensure smooth collaboration, maintain high code quality, and deliver stable releases. Remember to communicate clearly, review code thoroughly, and test rigorously to make the most out of GitFlow.

Author

  • Miguel Angelo do Amaral Junior