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STACK release process notes

Note, these notes are designed for developers releasing a new version through the Moodle plugin database. They are probably not useful for anyone else.

Release needs to be done for the whole "set". Do we increment the numbers of all components, e.g. behaviours, or just the qtype_stack?

  • for key releases, we do them all.
  • for bug fixes just the question type.

0. Code on github

The STACK code is stored on github, e.g. in https://github.com/maths/moodle-qtype_stack. In general the code branches are arranged as follows.

  • The master branch should always be either (i) an official release, (ii) contain minor but critical bug fixes, or (iii) contain updates to the docs. The STACK documentation on https://docs.stack-assessment.org/ auto-builds from the master branch, and so it is normal to update the docs between official releases.
  • The dev branch normally contains features which will in the next release. The dev branch should normally work out of the box, but expect unfinished features and bugs!
  • Development of new features often takes place in a specific branch named to correspond to an issue in the github issue tracker, normally forked from dev. E.g. if you raise issue 802 then code related to this can start life in a branch iss802. If you put #802 in the commit message then github will pick this up in the issue discussion. New features can be merged back into dev before they are completely finished, but please do add documentation, unit tests etc. first and make sure we at least have consensus on the design!

Unless you want to discuss something confidential with the developers, please do raise issues on github!

1. Pre-release checks

Check

  • Readme.md
  • Check docs
    • development history and development track history/track.
    • Execute php cli/answertests_docs.php to update the static docs about answertests.
    • Execute doc/maintenance.php to search for broken links etc.
  • version.php
    • check both the Moodle versions, and the required number. (https://docs.moodle.org/dev/Releases)
    • MATURITY_STABLE?
  • Check version numbers on stackmaxima.mac.
  • Run php cli/ast_test_generator.php to confirm if auto-generated tests have not changed.
  • Run unit tests.
  • Run code checker.
  • Commit all changes to git, e.g. "Update version number for the 4.4.2 release."

2. Create new tag with version name

E.g. "v4.3.11".

  • Push to GitHub.
  • Push tags to GitHub
    • Tortoise git: pulldown from push
    • Linux: git tag -a v4.4.2 -m "Update version number for the 4.4.2 release."
    • Linux: git push
    • Linux: git push --tags

3. Moodle plugins database entry for the plugin

Add a new version to the Moodle plugins database entry for the plugin.

  • If version number does not appear in the dropdown, then upload it from GitHub.

  • Version information

  • Upload zipfile
  • GitHub
  • Username = maths
  • Choose appropriate plugin
  • Choose tags
  • Choose tag number
  • Rename root directory +
  • Fix README filename +
  • Choose supported Moodle.

Then check updated information on the form.

(don't add "master" to branch info)

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