Version Control Strategies
Version control strategies define how teams organize, merge, and manage code changes. A good strategy keeps the codebase stable while enabling parallel development.
Branching Models
+---------------------------------------------------------+
| VERSION CONTROL STRATEGIES |
+---------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| GIT FLOW |
| - main: production-ready code |
| - develop: integration branch |
| - feature/*: new features |
| - release/*: prepare releases |
| - hotfix/*: urgent fixes |
| |
| GITHUB FLOW |
| - main: always deployable |
| - feature branches: short-lived |
| - Pull requests for all changes |
| - Simpler,้ๅ continuous deployment |
| |
| TRUNK-BASED |
| - Single main branch |
| - Short-lived feature branches (< 1 day) |
| - Feature flags for incomplete work |
| - Best for CI/CD |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------+
Git Flow Example
# Create a feature branch
git checkout develop
git checkout -b feature/user-authentication
# Work on feature
git add .
git commit -m "Add login form"
# Finish feature
git checkout develop
git merge --no-ff feature/user-authentication
git branch -d feature/user-authentication
# Prepare release
git checkout -b release/1.0.0 develop
# test, fix bugs
git checkout main
git merge --no-ff release/1.0.0
git tag -a v1.0.0 -m "Release 1.0.0"
git checkout develop
git merge --no-ff release/1.0.0
Merge Strategies
- Fast-Forward: Linear merge when no divergent commits
- Recursive: Creates a new merge commit from two parents
- Squash: Combines all commits into one before merging
- Rebase: Replays commits on top of another branch
Key Takeaways
- Choose a branching strategy that fits your team's workflow
- Git Flow is best for scheduled releases
- GitHub Flow and Trunk-Based are best for continuous deployment
- Keep branches short-lived to minimize merge conflicts