Understanding Git and Different Workflow Types
In this article, we will unravel the mysteries of Git and explore different workflow types that can optimize your development process. From centralized models to feature branching, we’ll uncover the strengths and applications of each workflow, providing valuable insights for both newcomers and experienced developers seeking to enhance their version control practices. Join us as we demystify Git and unlock the potential of streamlined, collaborative software development.
Introduction to Git:
Git is a free and open source version control system used to track changes to computer files and coordinate work on those files among multiple people, helping developers keep track of the changes they make to their code and essentially being the history tab for their code editor. Git allows peer-to-peer communication, bypassing the need for a central server. Its distributed nature allows developers to share and collaborate on changes directly, promoting decentralised collaboration without relying on a central authority.
You can find out more about Git at: https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2
- There is more than one type of workflow that companies can choose from, depending on many factors that will be listed in the following article: I will start with the meaning of workflow and its need, then the types of them.
Meaning of Workflow
Git workflow refers to the process and set of conventions that a development team follows when using Git. The primary needs and benefits of a well-defined Git workflow include version control, branching strategy, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), code stability and traceability, etc.
In this figure 1, only the indexes of the following diagrams are shown
Types of Workflows:
We will discuss the types of workflows and factors to consider when choosing a Git workflow for a project: Team Size, Development Process, and Release Frequency.
1. Gitflow Workflow
Gitflow is a branching strategy that streamlines parallel development, release management and versioning in a Git repository. It emphasises a stable main branch, feature branches for individual changes, and release and hotfix branches for version control.
*{ CI (Continuous Integration) involves the regular integration of code changes into a shared repository, helping identify and resolve integration issues early on.
CD (Continuous Delivery) automates the delivery of software changes to production environments, ensuring they are ready for release with minimal manual intervention.
The CI/CD pipeline provides benefits like faster feedback, reduced errors, consistent deployments, and enables rapid software releases.}
Master Branch: The “master” branch represents the stable and production-ready state of the project. It should always contain code that is thoroughly tested and ready for deployment.
Release Branches: Prepare “develop” for release. Create a branch for testing. After stability, merge to “master” and “develop.”
Develop Branch: The “develop” branch serves as the integration branch for ongoing development. It contains all the features that are being worked on and is used to prepare for the next release.
Feature Branches: Used for independent feature development. Create a new branch from “develop,” work on the feature, and merge it back.
Hotfix Branches: Address critical issues. Branch from “master,” fix, and merge to “master” and “develop.”
2. Feature Branch Workflow
The feature branch workflow revolves around the idea of creating a separate branch for each new feature, enhancement, or bug fix. Instead of making changes directly to the main development branch, we can have a hotfix branch for bug fixes when needed.
To begin working on a new feature, developers create a new branch from the main development branch (“Master”) . They implement the changes related to their feature in the feature branch. Once the feature is complete, the changes are merged back into the main branch. This merging process integrates the new feature into the main codebase, making it available to all users.
3. Forking Workflow
The forking workflow revolves around the concept of creating independent copies (forks) of a central repository to allow contributors to work on changes without directly affecting the original project. Here is a simplified step-by-step guide to contributing to a project using the forking workflow:
- Fork the central repository on the platform (GitHub, Gitea..) to create a copy under your account.
- Clone the forked repository to your local machine.
- Create a new local branch for your changes.
- Make the desired changes to your code base.
- Commit your changes to the new branch and git commit. Then push the changes to your forked repository.
- Submit a pull request, proposing your changes from your fork and including a detailed description.
- The project maintainers will review your “PR” pull request and may request changes before merging. Once approved, your changes will be merged into the main project.
- Regularly synchronise your fork with the central repository by adding it as a remote and pulling changes.
4. Centralized Workflow
The Centralized Workflow is a straightforward and commonly used model in Git. In this workflow, all developers collaborate on a single central repository.
In the Centralized Workflow, there is typically a single main branch, often called “master” or “main,” where the stable and production-ready code resides. Developers clone this central repository to their local machines and create feature branches to work on new changes. Each feature branch represents a specific task, bug fix, or feature that is being developed independently.
After completing the changes in their feature branches, developers push their work to the central repository, requesting that their changes be merged into the master branch.
Common types of Git merge Conflicts:
- Content Conflict: A content conflict occurs when the same part of a file has been modified differently in the branches being merged. Git cannot determine which change should apply, and will mark the conflicting sections in the file, indicating where manual resolution is required.
- Rename Conflict: If one branch renames a file while the other branch modifies the same file, Git considers it a conflict as it cannot automatically determine the proper action to take.
- Directory Conflict: Directory conflicts occur when a branch adds a directory with the same name as a file in the other branch, or vice versa.
- Deleted Conflict: If one branch deletes a file while the other branch modifies the same file, Git considers this a conflict, because it cannot automatically decide whether to keep the changes or delete the file.
In summary, there are many different types of Git workflow to choose from, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. The best workflow for a particular project will depend on factors such as team size, development process and release frequency. By understanding the different workflow types and their benefits, you can optimise development, streamline releases and foster a collaborative environment.
