Git Release Candidate Branch

A Git Release Candidate Branch is a version-specific stabilization code version control branch that prepares git release candidate major version releases with the naming pattern `rc/<project>-<version>`.

• AKA: Git RC Branch, Release Preparation Branch, Version Candidate Branch, Pre-Release Branch.
• Context:
  • It can typically merge from Git Development Branches through git release candidate integration processes.
  • It can typically undergo Git Release Candidate Testings through git release candidate quality assurances.
  • It can typically merge to Git Master Branches through git release candidate promotion processes.
  • It can often include Git Release Candidate Bug Fixes through git release candidate stabilization changes.
  • It can often exclude Git Release Candidate Feature Additions through git release candidate feature freezes.
  • It can often trigger Git Release Candidate Builds through git release candidate deployment preparations.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Quick Git Release Candidate Branch to being an Extended Git Release Candidate Branch, depending on its git release candidate stabilization period.
  • It can range from being a Minor Git Release Candidate Branch to being a Major Git Release Candidate Branch, depending on its git release candidate version scope.
  • It can range from being a Stable Git Release Candidate Branch to being an Unstable Git Release Candidate Branch, depending on its git release candidate quality level.
  • It can range from being a Feature-Complete Git Release Candidate Branch to being a Partial Git Release Candidate Branch, depending on its git release candidate feature readiness.
  • It can range from being a Internal Git Release Candidate Branch to being a Public Git Release Candidate Branch, depending on its git release candidate visibility scope.
  • ...
  • It can enforce Git Release Candidate Version Lock for git release candidate dependency management.
  • It can maintain Git Release Candidate Changelog for git release candidate documentation.
  • It can require Git Release Candidate Sign-off for git release candidate approval process.
  • It can generate Git Release Candidate Artifact for git release candidate distribution.
  • It can coordinate Git Release Candidate Rollback Plan for git release candidate risk mitigation.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Semantic Version Git Release Candidate Branches, such as:
    • Major Version Git Release Candidate Branch (rc/project-2.0.0) with git release candidate breaking changes.
    • Minor Version Git Release Candidate Branch (rc/project-1.5.0) with git release candidate feature additions.
    • Patch Version Git Release Candidate Branch (rc/project-1.4.3) with git release candidate bug fixes.
  • Environment-Targeted Git Release Candidate Branches, such as:
    • Production Git Release Candidate Branch for git release candidate production deployment.
    • Staging Git Release Candidate Branch for git release candidate staging validation.
  • Platform-Specific Git Release Candidate Branches, such as:
    • Mobile App Git Release Candidate Branch for git release candidate app store submission.
    • Web Application Git Release Candidate Branch for git release candidate cloud deployment.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Git Development Branch, which accepts git unstable changes rather than git release stabilization.
  • Git Feature Branch, which implements git new functionality rather than git release preparation.
  • Git Hotfix Branch, which addresses git emergency issues rather than git planned releases.
• See: Git Branching Strategy, Git Master Branch, Git Development Branch, Software Release Management, Version Control System, Continuous Delivery Practice, Quality Assurance Process, Deployment Pipeline, Semantic Versioning.

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