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Release Manager's Checklist

Introduction
Pre-release activities
CVS Branch for release
CVS Release
Distribution

Introduction

Historically, items on this checklist were accomplished by scripts written in Perl, Python, Bash, C++, and as Windows command files, or by point-and-click on a FrontPage or other GUI based program. Long term the plan is to move as much as possible of these to C++, as the one language all Boost developers are comfortable with.

Pre-release activities

• After discussion on the main list, post the release schedule.
   
• Verify the root/index.htm, root/boost/version.hpp, and root/Jamrules release numbers are correct and agree.
   
• Verify via jamboost@yahoogroups.com that bjam pre-built executables up-to-date.
   
• Remove the oldest "Latest News" from root/index.htm.
   
• For each new library added this release:

• Verify root/index.htm Latest News entry has been made and reads well.
   
• Verify root/libs/libraries.htm entry has been made, both in the alphabetic list and in the category lists.
   
• Verify the root/libs/xxx directory contains an index.htm or index.html file; either the main docs or a redirection to the main docs. To do: automate this.
   
• Skim read the primary docs pages to make sure they meet Boost requirements and guidelines. Don't leave this until too late; it has turned up lots of issues in the past.
   
• Generate the header dependency table and update the CVS. To do: coordinate with John Maddock's new dependency tools.

• Monitor http://boost.sourceforge.net/regression-logs/inspection_report.html to verify problems are actively being reduced. Make sure none of the problems are in files the release manager is responsible for.
   
• Monitor regression tests (http://boost.sourceforge.net/regression-logs) to verify that errors are actively being reduced or accounted for on key platforms and compilers.
   
  • Boost errors are being actively worked on by library maintainers.
  • Compiler or standard library errors are at least identified, and preferably reported to the supplier.
  • No errors remain uninvestigated or unclassified.
     
• Monitor the developer and user mailing lists to verify that all posted patches are being applied, rejected, or otherwise dealt with.
   
• Monitor the developer and user mailing lists, and the SourceForge bug tracker, to verify that all posted bug reports are being investigated, fixed, rejected, or otherwise dealt with.
   
• Monitor CVS commits to verify that all the expected and/or promised content actually gets committed. Try to get developers to avoid last minute commits of major changes.

CVS Branch for release

• Pre-release activities complete enough to justify branch-for-release?
   
• Everybody happy?
   
• Branch for release:
  • Tag the main trunk  merged_to_RC_n_n_n.
  • Branch the main trunk with the tag RC_n_n_n.
     
• Post notice on main list. Remind developers that fixes which apply to both Main Trunk and Branch have to be committed separately to both.

CVS Release

• Pre-release activities all complete?
   
• Post notice to make sure all developers ready.
   
• Tag: WinCVS: Select site, then tag (Modify|Create tag..., toolbar T on doc). New tag name: Version_1_21_2 (or whatever). If prior release failed, select "overwrite existing tags with the same name".

Distribution

These procedures are given for a particular release manager's machine. The plan is to replace them with more generic procedures over time.

• Create folders for export:
  
      c:\boost\boost_1_28_0
      c:\boost\temp\boost_1_28_0
  
  Note that several batch files assume these locations and naming schemes.
   
• Export Win32 distribution: WinCVS | Remote | Checkout Module
  
  Checkout settings: module name and path on the server: boost, local folder to checkout to: c:\boost\boost_1_28_0
  [for 1.29.0 export, put everything in a boost_1_29_0/boost subdirectory.  Experiments with 1.30.0 tried boost/boost as the path on server, but that just resulted in getting the boost header subdirectory only.]
  
  Checkout options: (check) By revision/tab/branch: Version_1_28_0, (check) Do not create CVS directories (export)
  
  This results in the follow command: cvs -z9 export -r Version_1_28_0 boost (in directory C:\boost\boost_1_28_0)
  
  (takes about ten minutes)
  
  (rename boost-root if needed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
   
• Export Unix distribution: similar to above, except target is c:\boost\temp\boost_1_28_0 and set global for UNIX nl.
   
• !!!!!! VERY IMPORTANT: WinCVS | Set Preferences | Global back to non-UNIX nl. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   
• General ZIP and TAR.GZ files
  
  n_n_n is 1_28_0 or whatever
  
  cd \boost
  boost_zip 1_21_2 (creates zip.log)
  boost_tar_gz 1_21_2
  bash
      gunzip -c boost_1_21_2.tar.gz | bzip2 > boost_1_21_2.tar.bz2
      exit
   
• Upload and unpack the .zip release candidate to a SourceForge web services sub-directory. Post a message to the main list asking developers to check contents. (Daniel Frey has volunteered to help check).
   
• Upload files for SourceForge release incoming directory using WS_FTP Pro
  • Start keep_isdn_awake
  • Connection: SourceForge Release Upload | connect
  • Select Local system: c:\boost
  • Select Remote system: /incoming
  • Drag-and-drop the three release files from Local system to Remote system
  • Disconnect
  • Stop keep_isdn_awake
     
• Complete the SourceForge release procedure.
  • Admin | Edit Packages: Add Release for package name boost
  • New release name: 1.21.2 | create this release
  • Step 1: paste in release notes (in HTML). Be sure to note difference between .zip and .gz/bz2 files. Submit/Refresh
  • Step 2: Check appropriate files. Add Files and/or Refresh View
  • Step 3: For each file, select Processor and File Type, Update/Refresh
  • Setp 4: Email Release Notice: I'm sure. Send Notice.
  • Wait up to 30 minutes.
  • Check SourceForge release page and release notes with web browser.
     
• Consider putting up a temporary "Update in progress" root/index.html during site update
   
• Update the web site using WS_FTP Pro (64.226.201.52).
  • Start keep_isdn_awake
  • Local system: c:\boost\boost_n.n.n
  • Tools | Synchronize | Control file name:
    • boost_people (use "Test script only" first to verify all is working.)
    • boost_more
    • boost_status
    • boost_tools
    • boost_doc
    • boost_libs
    • boost_boost
  • Connection: boost
  • Update the root director (drag and drop files and directories) [Do the root directory last!  This requested by users who happened to connect during site updates.]
  • Top level directory seems to copy files unnecessarily. Doesn't happened in when whole sub-dir is drag and dropped.
    At end of a file transfer, it is not unusual for there to be a 30-45 second hang. This is not a sign of failure.
  • Inspect index, etc dates
  • Disconnect.
  • Stop keep_isdn_awake
     
• Check actual www.boost.org site with browser. Look at a bunch of files that should have been updated to make sure the updates actually "took".
   
• Post a message announcing the release and recapping "Latest News".  Post as separate messages to: boost, boost-announce, boost-users, comp.lang.c++.moderated, c++std-news@research.att.com
   
• Using the SourceForge shell services (sf_shell_svc.bat), cd /home/groups/b/bo/boost/htdocs, and rename regression tests as necessary.
   
• Burn "Key Directories" CD for off-site backup.
   
• Make sure CVS working copy is updated to main branch!
   
• Ready root/index.htm, root/boost/version.hpp, and root/Jamrules for the next release and commit to CVS so developers have a place to add "Latest news" blurbs.
   
• Delete obsolete files from yahoogroups files section.

Revised: 26 November, 2003

© Copyright Beman Dawes 2001

Use, modification, and distribution are subject to the Boost Software License, Version 1.0. (See accompanying file LICENSE_1_0.txt or copy at www.boost.org/LICENSE_1_0.txt)