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This page contains details about how to release a new version of [[FlightGear]] into the wild. It is a continous work in progress to be improved with every every new release.
{{GitStatus}}
{{Release}}


If you think you have something to contribute to the release process, feel free to <span class=plainlinks>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:{{NAMESPACE}}:{{PAGENAME}}|action=edit}} edit this page]</span>. Please discuss this concept at the mailing-list.
The '''release plan''' is the process by which a new version of [[FlightGear]] is released. The release plan is actually a continual work-in-progress, and is refined with every new release.


=== General Release Concept ===
[[File:ReleasePlan.jpg|thumb|250px|The original release plan.]]
New FlightGear releases will be scheduled twice a year. The magic number to remember is 17 (we tried 42, but that didn't turn out so well. 17 is perfect: 1 is a prime, 7 is a prime and so is 17). On the 17th of January (1) and July (7) a new release branch will be created for SimGear, FlightGear and FGDATA.  
FlightGear has had two release plans over [[FlightGear History|history]]. The original release plan was developed by Mathias Fröhlich, Martin Spott, Thorsten Brehm and Torsten Dreyer during LinuxTag 2011. The current plan was proposed by Torsten Dreyer after the 3.6 release was [[FlightGear Newsletter November 2015#FlightGear v3.6 canceled|cancelled]].


After branching, we will allow one month for bug fixing in the release branch, so building and packing of the binaries and FGDATA will take place around February, 18th and August, 18th. Allowing a few days for distribution of the files, new versions should be publically available around the 20th of February and August.  
To suggest improvements and/or changes to the release plan, it is recommended to get in touch via the [[mailing list]]. Improvements can be based on the [[Release plan/Lessons learned|lessons learned]] from previous releases.


The development stream of SimGear, FlightGear and FGDATA will be set into a frozen state one month before the branch-day (17th) to let the dust of development settle and to allow fixing the most annoying bugs in the code. During this period, developers are requested not to add any new features, subsystems or alike. Immediately after the stream has branched for the release, development in the main stream (next/master) is open for major changes until one month before the next branch-day. This results in a duty cycle of 5 month developing and 1 month thinking.  
== General release concept ==
A new version of FlightGear is released every three months, meaning four releases per year. On the 17th of the month, new release branches are created and the [[build server]] creates the binaries and uploading them to SourceForge. If any changes are made to the release branch, a new bugfix release is created. The version of the <code>next</code> branch is incremented. And development coninutes as normal, with new nightly builds be created after each change. The table below shows the release cycle. See also [http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34701971/ this mailing list post].


=== Version Numbers ===
{| class="wikitable"
Releases will have even version numbers (2.2.0, 2.4.0, 2.6.0), bugfix releases will increase their least significant digit (2.2.0, 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3).
! Month !! Number in cycle
The Development stream uses odd version numbers and is usually on number higher than the current release (Released is 2.4.0, development stream is 2.5.0, next release will be 2.6.0).
|-
| January
| style="background-color: #e55757" | 4 ''(previous year)''
|-
| February
| style="background-color: #e4ae3a" | 1
|-
| March
| style="background-color: #e4ae3a" | 1
|-
| April
| style="background-color: #e4ae3a" | 1
|-
| May
| style="background-color: #6a6bd7" | 2
|-
| June
| style="background-color: #6a6bd7" | 2
|-
| July
| style="background-color: #6a6bd7" | 2
|-
| August
| style="background-color: #63e557" | 3
|-
| September
| style="background-color: #63e557" | 3
|-
| October
| style="background-color: #63e557" | 3
|-
| November
| style="background-color: #e55757" | 4
|-
| December
| style="background-color: #e55757" | 4
|}


The Major version number will be increased after significant changes to the functionality of the software.
== Version numbers ==
FlightGear version numbers consist of three digits, separated by dots:


=== Detailed Time Schedule ===
=== Before 2016.1 ===
# Dec/Jun 17th: Development stream is declared "frozen" or "red".
* '''Major''' (<u>3</u>.4.0): Only increased after significant changes to the functionality of the software (e.g., 1.x.x → 2.0.0 (due to switch to [[OSG]]).
# Jan/Jul 17th: Create new Release branch, assign new version number to dev-stream
* '''Minor''' (3.<u>4</u>.0): Has two applications:
# declare dev-stream "open" or "green", create binaries for RC0 from release-branch
** '''Stable releases''' always have ''even numbers'' (e.g. 2.8.0, 2.10.0, 2.12.0).
# Feb/Aug 17th: Create binaries/installers, pack fgdata, publish files, announce new version, declare release-branch "closed"
** The '''latest [[Git]] version''' or '''[[FlightGear build server|nightly build]]''' uses an ''odd number'', always one more than the latest stable release's minor revision numbere. For example, when the latest release was 3.4.0, the current development stream was 3.5.0.
* '''Revision''' (3.4.<u>0</u>): Increased by bugfix releases (e.g., 2.12.1).


From step 1) to step 2), no new features or major changes shall be pushed onto the development stream (neither source nor data). This period is for preparing the code for the release and make sure there are no major issues.  
=== 2016.1 and after ===
* '''Year''' (<u>2016</u>.1.0): The year the version was released.
* '''Number''' (2016.<u>1</u>.0): Which release of the year the version is (note: starts at 1).
* '''Revision''' (2016.1.<u>0</u>): Indicates one of two things:
** In the '''latest [[Git]] version''' or '''[[FlightGear build server|nightly build]]''', this digit is 0, indicating that it is unstable.
** When a new '''release''' is created, this digit is set to 1. With bugfix that is made, this digit is increased by 1, and a new version created.


After step 2) to the next step 1), development on the next/master stream is open again for any change. Bugfixes for this release go into the release branch only and gets a better fix in the dev-stream. Fixes that need to be in both branches go into the release branch and get backported into the next/master my merging, cherry-picking or whatever method applies (note: this needs to be discussed).
{{note|In general, release are referred to by their first two digits (e.g., 3.4). However, when filing a bug report or debugging problems, it is a good idea to give the full release number.}}


=== Bug Tracking ===
== Detailed time schedule and checklist ==
The [http://flightgear-bugs.googlecode.com bugtracker] will be our primary source for the bug fixing period. Bugs reported on the mailing list or forum will not be tracked! Reporters shall be requested to file a bug report at the bugtracker. Bugs shall be assigned a priority and a keyword to make the assignment to a developer easier. Bug reports that can't be confirmed or need more input from the reporter to get fixed will be assigned a new state "stalled" and only processed after more information has been provided. Bugs assigned a high priority will be downgraded, if no progress has been made over a certain amount of time. This is to prevent the release from being blocked by a bug that no developer is able (or willing) to fix. The only exception is "does not compile for one of the major platforms", which certainly is a release-blocker.
# Just after the next release, the next default airport is decided on by a poll on the forum. The next release will be named after it.
# (On the 17th of the release month): The first Jenkins script is triggered to create <code>release/xxxx.x.0</code> branches with version xxxx.x.0.
# Jenkins creates the binaries for xxxx.x.1.
# Patches going into the <code>release/xxxx.x.0</code> branch automatically trigger a new build with a increase of the revision version number (see [[#2016.1 and after|above]]) and we immediately have a bugfix release.
# On the <code>next</code> branch, the version number is changed.
# Nightly builds are created from <code>next</code> after every push in that branch.


=== Legacy ===
The process is repeated after three months.
The current branch for the never release version 2.2.0 will be left untouched. No release will be created from this branch. The next/master branches will receive a new development version number 2.3.0 soon. The first release branch will be created on Jul, 17th 2011. The first freeze for the branches will be announced on Jun, 17th 2011. If everything goes well, Version 2.4.0 will be available around Aug, 18th 2011.


=== Tasks and Owners ===
== Version files ==
(taskowners not yet assigned)
; FGData: {{fgdata file|version}}
* Announce the state-change of the dev-streams
; SimGear: {{simgear file|version}}
* Create/maintain the git branches
; FlightGear: {{flightgear file|version}}
* Track the bugs on the tracker, trigger developers, adjust bug-priorities
; FGRun: [http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/fgrun/ci/next/tree/version fgrun/version]
* Beta testing
<!--
* Update documentation
== Bug fix committing policy ==
* Pack RC and final version of FGDATA
Fixes for bugs during the shakedown test of the release branch may be applied to the branches next or release/2.8.0.
* Create the RC and final version (source-tarball)
A fix goes into release/2.8.0 if the development of next has moved forward and this fix does not apply there. It also goes into the release branch if there will be a better fix for next.
* Create the RC and final version for Linux
A fix goes into next if it is also solves an issue for the next version. Cherry-pick this commit into the release/2.8.0 branch.
* Create the RC and final version for Windows
* Create the RC and final version for MacOS
* Distribute files to download servers
* Make adjustments on the web-site
* Announce the new version to the public


=== Open Items, Questions ===
'''DO NOT''' merge next into release/2.8.0 or vice versa. Most likely, there will be commits that are not welcome in or even break the other branch.
* Can Hudson create binaries (RC) from the release branch?
-->
* If not, how often will we create RC?
 
== Bug tracking ==
The [http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/codetickets/ bugtracker] is the primary source of bug reports. Unlike the forum or mailing list, bugs reported there will be tracked, making it easier for developers to keep up with them. When reporting bugs, it is best to provide as much information as possible to more easily find the bug. If you can provide a backtrace, please do so and attach it to the bug report. When creating backtraces, please use "thread apply all bt full" at the gdb command prompt.
 
<!--
=== Tasks and owners ===
 
The following table should be updated and augmented after each release, according to the [[Release plan#Lessons learned|Lessons learned]] section below.
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Stage
! width="500px" | Task
! Owner(s)
|-
! rowspan="7" | Preparation
| Announce the state-change of the dev-streams, '''cross-post to JSBSim list''' (see lessons learned!)
| TorstenD
|-
| Create/maintain the git branches
| TorstenD
|-
| Track the bugs on the tracker, trigger developers, adjust bug-priorities
| ThorstenB, Gijs, James, ...
|-
| Sync the language files so they can be translated
| ThorstenB, James
|-
| Beta testing
| '''EVERYBODY'''
|-
| Update documentation: [[FAQ]], [https://www.gitorious.org/fg/getstart/ The Manual], wiki
| Stuart, Gijs and anyone else
|-
| Pack RC and final version of fgdata
|
|-
! rowspan="5" | Create the RC and final version
| Source-tarball
| Curt
|-
| Linux
| ThorstenB (for openSUSE)
|-
| Windows
| Curt
|-
| MacOS
| Tat/James
|-
| Distribute files to download servers
| Curt
|-
! rowspan="3" | Make adjustments on the web-site
| Collect/make screenshots for the gallery
| Curt
|-
| Generate aircraft page
| Curt, Gijs
|-
| Tag the [http://wiki.flightgear.org/index.php?title=Talk:Next_newsletter&action=edit&section=45 newsletter template] according to the released version
<nowiki>[[Category:Changes after 2.12]]</nowiki>
| Hooray, Gijs, Stuart (other wiki admins)
|-
! rowspan="2" | Announce the new version to the public
| Write a changelog: [[Next changelog]]
| All developers/contributors
|-
| Contact flightsim websites and send them/link them to the "press announcement". See [[release promotion]] for a list of already-contacted and yet-to-contact websites/magazines.
| '''EVERYBODY'''
|}
 
== Open items, questions ==
* Automate and/or document the creation of RC's: "We need to get this automated some day. Or at least documented...(another one from "famous last words": if you have to do it more than once, automate it. If you can't automate it, document it."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mail-archive.com/flightgear-devel@lists.sourceforge.net/msg39205.html |title=<nowiki>Re: [Flightgear-devel] Release candidates</nowiki> |author=Torsten Dreyer |date=29 January 2013}}</ref>
* Automate the creation of fgdata distribution
* Possibly try to find a way to automate testing of updated jsbsim code, so that the chance for breakage is reduced by running scripted tests <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mail-archive.com/flightgear-devel@lists.sourceforge.net/msg39109.html |title=<nowiki>Re: [Flightgear-devel] [Jsbsim-devel] JSBSim Synch with FlightGear</nowiki> |author=Torsten Dreyer |date=13 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mail-archive.com/flightgear-devel@lists.sourceforge.net/msg40201.html |title=<nowiki>Re: [Flightgear-devel] JSBSim Synch with FlightGear</nowiki> |author=Anders Gidenstam |date=11 June 2013}}</ref><ref>
{{Cite web |url=http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/31762085/
|title=<nowiki>Release preparations - feature freeze starts today</nowiki> |author=Anders Gidenstam |date=2013-12-17 19:46:48}}
</ref>
 
-->
 
== Lessons learned ==
See [[Release plan/Lessons learned]] for a list of things that turned out well and should be kept for the next release as well as thing that didn't turn out so well and should be changed for future releases. Ideally, the release plan should be updated and augmented so that the lessons learned are incorporated accordingly.
<!-- {{Appendix}} -->
 
== Related content ==
=== Mailing lists ===
* {{cite web
|url = http://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/mailman/message/34701971/
|title = <nowiki>[Flightgear-devel] Release 3.8</nowiki>
|author = Torsten Dreyer
|date = Dec 17th, 2015
}}
 
[[Category:Core developer documentation]]
[[Category:FlightGear]]
[[Category: Release]]

Revision as of 10:28, 15 June 2016

Current release: 2020.3.19 (18 Oct 2023)
Next release: 2020.3.20
See release plan for details.

The release plan is the process by which a new version of FlightGear is released. The release plan is actually a continual work-in-progress, and is refined with every new release.

The original release plan.

FlightGear has had two release plans over history. The original release plan was developed by Mathias Fröhlich, Martin Spott, Thorsten Brehm and Torsten Dreyer during LinuxTag 2011. The current plan was proposed by Torsten Dreyer after the 3.6 release was cancelled.

To suggest improvements and/or changes to the release plan, it is recommended to get in touch via the mailing list. Improvements can be based on the lessons learned from previous releases.

General release concept

A new version of FlightGear is released every three months, meaning four releases per year. On the 17th of the month, new release branches are created and the build server creates the binaries and uploading them to SourceForge. If any changes are made to the release branch, a new bugfix release is created. The version of the next branch is incremented. And development coninutes as normal, with new nightly builds be created after each change. The table below shows the release cycle. See also this mailing list post.

Month Number in cycle
January 4 (previous year)
February 1
March 1
April 1
May 2
June 2
July 2
August 3
September 3
October 3
November 4
December 4

Version numbers

FlightGear version numbers consist of three digits, separated by dots:

Before 2016.1

  • Major (3.4.0): Only increased after significant changes to the functionality of the software (e.g., 1.x.x → 2.0.0 (due to switch to OSG).
  • Minor (3.4.0): Has two applications:
    • Stable releases always have even numbers (e.g. 2.8.0, 2.10.0, 2.12.0).
    • The latest Git version or nightly build uses an odd number, always one more than the latest stable release's minor revision numbere. For example, when the latest release was 3.4.0, the current development stream was 3.5.0.
  • Revision (3.4.0): Increased by bugfix releases (e.g., 2.12.1).

2016.1 and after

  • Year (2016.1.0): The year the version was released.
  • Number (2016.1.0): Which release of the year the version is (note: starts at 1).
  • Revision (2016.1.0): Indicates one of two things:
    • In the latest Git version or nightly build, this digit is 0, indicating that it is unstable.
    • When a new release is created, this digit is set to 1. With bugfix that is made, this digit is increased by 1, and a new version created.
Note  In general, release are referred to by their first two digits (e.g., 3.4). However, when filing a bug report or debugging problems, it is a good idea to give the full release number.

Detailed time schedule and checklist

  1. Just after the next release, the next default airport is decided on by a poll on the forum. The next release will be named after it.
  2. (On the 17th of the release month): The first Jenkins script is triggered to create release/xxxx.x.0 branches with version xxxx.x.0.
  3. Jenkins creates the binaries for xxxx.x.1.
  4. Patches going into the release/xxxx.x.0 branch automatically trigger a new build with a increase of the revision version number (see above) and we immediately have a bugfix release.
  5. On the next branch, the version number is changed.
  6. Nightly builds are created from next after every push in that branch.

The process is repeated after three months.

Version files

FGData
fgdata/version
SimGear
simgear/version
FlightGear
flightgear/version
FGRun
fgrun/version

Bug tracking

The bugtracker is the primary source of bug reports. Unlike the forum or mailing list, bugs reported there will be tracked, making it easier for developers to keep up with them. When reporting bugs, it is best to provide as much information as possible to more easily find the bug. If you can provide a backtrace, please do so and attach it to the bug report. When creating backtraces, please use "thread apply all bt full" at the gdb command prompt.


Lessons learned

See Release plan/Lessons learned for a list of things that turned out well and should be kept for the next release as well as thing that didn't turn out so well and should be changed for future releases. Ideally, the release plan should be updated and augmented so that the lessons learned are incorporated accordingly.

Related content

Mailing lists