This four-part flowchart depicts the software development and approval process using GitHub, starting with the creation of a new contribution and ending with the finalization of the code merge. It outlines decision points, such as code review processes, automated checks, and conflict resolution, ensuring that user contributions meet set standards before being integrated into the Open Source projects.
Part 1:
- The flowchart outlines the process for establishing a new repository on GitHub, beginning with the initiation phase and concluding with the final setup. The process initiates with a decision point asking whether the repository has been initialized. If the answer is yes, the process moves directly to the end. However, if the repository has not been initialized, the next step involves creating a new repository on GitHub. Following the creation, a check is performed to ascertain if the repository’s initialization is complete. If it is not, the process loops back to the creation step. Once initialization is confirmed, the next phase involves setting up the repository by adding essential elements such as a README file, selecting an appropriate license, and outlining contribution guidelines. Another verification is made to ensure the setup is complete. If any setup tasks remain incomplete, the process loops back to allow for the addition of any missing elements. Once the setup is verified as complete, the process concludes, indicating the repository is fully established and ready for use on GitHub. This structured approach ensures that all GitHub repositories are properly initialized and equipped with the necessary documentation and guidelines before being deemed complete.
Part 2:
- This flowchart shows the steps of a collaborative software development process, including version control and code integration. It begins with contributors forking the project or creating branches, then cloning the repository to work locally. After completing their tasks and updating documentation, they commit and push changes back to the remote repository. Contributors then decide if their work is ready for review and potentially submit a pull request (PR) for integration. This triggers a conflict resolution phase to ensure the new code fits seamlessly with the existing codebase. After resolving conflicts, the code is merged into the main branch, marking the effort’s success and integration. The final step evaluates the merge’s success; if unsuccessful, it requires a review or further conflict resolution to meet project standards.
- Dotted boxes are detailed/supplementary
Part 3:
- The flowchart simplifies setting up a CI/CD pipeline, emphasizing code review and automated tests for software quality. It starts with code review, where submitted code is evaluated against project standards. If reviewers ask for changes, the code undergoes revisions until it meets quality expectations. Next, the pipeline sets up automated checks, like unit tests, to ensure code changes don’t introduce errors, maintaining project integrity.
- The chart also includes setting up the CI/CD infrastructure, such as defining build triggers, configuring a build server, setting up a source control repository (e.g., GitHub), and selecting CI/CD tools (e.g., GitHub Actions) for automating tests, builds, and deployments. For continuous deployment projects, it details configuring automatic deployments to production after passing all checks.
- The process ends once the CI/CD pipeline is fully operational, integrating manual reviews with automated systems to uphold quality standards and enhance the project’s overall health, embodying a comprehensive approach to modern software development.
Part 4:
- Part 4 of the software development process focuses on automated checks in a testing environment to decide if changes are ready for production. It starts by checking if automated tests are ready to run; if not, it loops back to Part 2 for more prep. Once ready, it runs tests like unit and integration tests to ensure code quality within the testing environment.
- If these checks pass, the process moves to merging the code for production deployment. Failed checks lead to a loop back for problem resolution. Alongside, there’s emphasis on continuous feedback for the CI/CD pipeline and process improvement, including optimizing automated checks and using linters.
- The process ends when the code passes all tests and is ready for production, underscoring the importance of automated checks for maintaining quality and ensuring reliability before deployment.
In summary, managing an open-source project involves setting clear guidelines, fostering collaboration, ensuring code quality through reviews and automated testing, and maintaining project stability with CI/CD practices. The open nature of these projects means that anyone can contribute, but it requires a structured approach, as outlined in the flowchart, to manage contributions effectively and ensure the project’s success and sustainability.