When devising Azure DevOps workflows, choosing an effective branch strategy is paramount. An wisely implemented branching strategy not only enhances team collaboration, but also streamlines development and deployment workflows. Here, we’ll explore the three most common types of branch strategies – Trunk-based branching, Feature branching, and Release branching.
Trunk-Based Development
Trunk-based development is a branch strategy where all developers work on a single codebase, the ‘trunk’. Considered a reliable and efficient system, it facilitates continuous integration by allowing multiple developers to commit changes to the trunk several times a day.
However, it’s essential to note that any committed code should be production-ready to avoid build failures. For this, effective use of Feature Flags (toggles) is recommended. Feature flags allow developers to hide unfinished work until it’s ready while still committing code to the trunk.
Here’s how you can create a branch in a repository in Azure DevOps:
git checkout -b
Feature Branching
In Feature branching, every new feature being worked on is built in a separate branch. Post processing and testing, the code is then merged into the main branch.
With feature branches, developers can work in isolation, ensuring that unfinished code does not disrupt the production environment. Critics of this method, however, underline that the isolation of developers working on different branches often results in complicated merge conflicts.
In Azure DevOps, you can create a new feature branch from the web portal:
- Go to Repos, then Branches.
- From the list, find and select main.
- Click on New branch.
- Name your branch and click Create.
Release Branching
When it comes to deploying and maintaining a version of a software in production, Release Branching comes in handy. Each release branch corresponds to a specific production release.
In this strategy, any changes or hotfixes to the production version are made within the release branch, ensuring that the main branch isn’t exposed to immediate risks.
To create a release branch in Azure DevOps, follow the steps outlined above for creating a feature branch.
| Strategy | Description | Benefits | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trunk-Based | All developers work on a single codebase – the ‘trunk’. | Encourages continuous integration, code is production-ready. | Requires effective use of feature flags to hide unfinished work. |
| Feature Branching | Every feature is built in a separate branch which ascertains that work-in-progress code is independant. | Avoids disruption of the production environment with unfinished code. | May result in complicated merge conflicts as developers work in isolation. |
| Release Branching | The go-to strategy when deploying and maintaining a version of software in production. Each release branch corresponds to a specific production release. | Provides a secure environment for implementing changes or hotfixes to the production version. | N/A |
Implementing an effective branching strategy is not a one-size-fits-all task. It greatly depends on the team size, project scale, development and deployment workflows. Therefore, it’s pivotal to evaluate your specific needs before choosing a branch strategy. No matter what strategy you pick, Azure DevOps provides the right tools and environment to make branch management efficient and streamlined.
Practice Test
True or False: In trunk-based development, developers work on a single branch, the ‘trunk’.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: Trunk-based development is a source-control branching model where developers work on the same branch, often referred to as the ‘trunk’ or ‘master’.
Multiple Select: Which of the following strategies are commonly used in git for branching?
- A. Trunk-based
- B. Feature Branch
- C. Release Branch
- D. Bug-fix Branch
Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: The commonly used branching strategies in git are Trunk-based, Feature Branch, and Release Branch. Bug-fix Branch is not a common strategy.
Single Select: Which branch strategy allows developers to work on features independently without affecting the main code?
- A. Trunk-Based
- B. Feature Branch
- C. Release Branch
Answer: B. Feature Branch
Explanation: The Feature Branch strategy allows developers to work independently on features without affecting the main codebase.
True or False: In release branch strategy, the main purpose of creating a branch is to prepare for a new production release.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: Release branch strategy is used to support preparation of a new production release.
Single Select: What type of branch would typically be created to fix a bug in a production version of software?
- A. Trunk-Based
- B. Feature Branch
- C. Hotfix Branch
- D. Release Branch
Answer: C. Hotfix Branch
Explanation: Hotfix Branch is typically created to fix bugs in a production version of a software.
True or False: All development models require the use of branches.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Some development models, such as Trunk-based, don’t heavily rely on branching.
Multiple Select: Which of the following are advantages of using a trunk-based development strategy?
- A. Avoids merge hell
- B. Allows developers to isolate their work
- C. Reduces integration problems
- D. Simplifies release management
Answer: A, C, D
Explanation: Trunk-based strategy helps to prevent merge conflicts, reduce integration issues, and simplify release management. Isolation of work is more common in feature branch strategy.
Single Select: Which branch strategy creates a separate branch for every single feature in the project?
- A. Trunk-based
- B. Feature Branch
- C. Release Branch
Answer: B. Feature Branch
Explanation: In Feature Branch strategy, a separate branch is created for every feature in the project.
True or False: The trunk-based development model promotes frequent commits and short-lived branches.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: The Trunk-based model encourages developers to commit directly to the trunk multiple times per day, making branches short-lived.
Multiple Select: Which of the following activities are typically performed on a release branch?
- A. Developing New Features
- B. Fixing Bugs
- C. Finalizing Release Notes
- D. Conducting Performance Testing
Answer: B, C, D
Explanation: Activities such as fixing bugs, finalizing release notes, and conducting performance testing are commonly done on a release branch. New features are typically developed in a feature branch.
Single Select: In a branch strategy, which branch should be the most stable?
- A. Trunk-Based
- B. Feature Branch
- C. Release Branch
Answer: A. Trunk-based
Explanation: In a branch strategy, the trunk or ‘master’ branch should be the most stable as it is the source for release branches.
True or False: Branch strategy is irrelevant in DevOps practices.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Branch strategy plays a key role in DevOps practices. It aids in code management, team collaboration and continuous integration/continuous delivery.
Single Select: Which branch strategy approach works well with continuous integration?
- A. Trunk-Based
- B. Feature Branch
- C. Release Branch
Answer: A. Trunk-Based
Explanation: Trunk-based development works well with continuous integration as it promotes frequent commits and short-lived branches, enabling continuous testing and integration.
True or False: Trunk-based development is highly suitable for large teams with multiple developers.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: Trunk-based development can effectively cater to larger teams as it reduces merge conflicts and promotes collective code ownership.
Multiple Select: Which of these are good practices when using a branch strategy?
- A. Keeping branches short-lived
- B. Regularly merging branches
- C. Keeping branches long-lived for better security
- D. Enforcing strict access control to branches
Answer: A, B, D
Explanation: Good practices when using a branch strategy include keeping branches short-lived, regularly merging them, and maintaining strict access control. Long-lived branches can lead to complex merge processes and are therefore generally avoided.
Interview Questions
What is trunk-based development?
Trunk-based development is a source code management strategy where developers regularly merge their code with a code repository’s “trunk” (the main branch), producing software that is always in a release-ready state.
How does the feature branch strategy work?
In the feature branch strategy, a developer creates a branch off the main code base for each new feature or bug fix. This allows the main codebase to remain stable while new features or fixes are actively developed. The changes are then merged back into the main branch upon completion.
What is a release branch in a branch strategy?
A release branch holds the next planned release of the software while allowing on-going work to continue on the ‘main’ branch. It’s used for final bug fixes and documentation generation related to the upcoming release.
What is the benefit of using Trunk-based development?
Trunk-based development helps reduce integration issues as code is frequently merged, it keeps the codebase in a release-ready state, and it encourages collaboration since everyone is working off the same codebase.
Why would a team use the Feature Branch strategy?
Feature Branching allows teams to work on new features or fixes without destabilizing the main branch. It also provides the ability to test and review code changes in isolation before they are integrated into the main codebase.
What could be a downside of using feature branches?
If feature branches are kept separate from the main branch for too long, there can be challenges with merging back into the main branch due to significant divergence in the codebases.
What is the purpose of a release branch?
A release branch is used for final preparation for a software release. It allows for bug fixes, documentation updates, and other final development tasks while not interfering with ongoing development on the main branch.
In what situations might trunk-based development not be the best choice?
Trunk-based development may not be the best choice for teams with a low tolerance for risk on the main branch or if continuous integration practices aren’t well established.
How can the feature branching strategy contribute to continuous integration?
The feature branching strategy allows for isolated development and testing of new features or fixes, which can then be integrated into the main branch after validation, thus contributing to continuous integration practices.
How are release branches typically managed after a release has gone to production?
After a release has gone to production, the release branch is often kept for a period of time for bug fixes and patches for that specific release. Once the branch is no longer needed, it’s typically deleted or archived.
What are common practices for naming branches in a branch strategy?
Branch names should clearly indicate their purpose. Common practices include using terms like “feature”, “bugfix”, or “release”, followed by a brief description or issue tracker ID.
When using a feature branch strategy, what should developers do regularly to avoid painful merges later?
Developers should regularly pull changes from the main branch into their feature branch to reduce the potential for merge conflicts.
What tools can teams use to visualize and manage their branch strategy?
Source control management tools like Git, Mercurial, or Azure Repos help teams visualize and manage their branch strategies by providing graphical interfaces and integrated tooling.
What is one of the key principles of trunk-based development that supports DevOps practices?
One of the key principles of trunk-based development is that code is always in a releasable state, which supports DevOps practices such as continuous delivery and deployment.
Why might a team choose to use a combination of trunk-based, feature branch, and release branch strategies?
Different aspects of each strategy can be useful in different situations or for different parts of the project. By combining strategies, a team can optimize workflow, minimize risk, and improve release management.
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