curl release procedure - how to do a release ============================================ in the source code repo ----------------------- - run `./scripts/copyright.pl` and correct possible omissions - edit `RELEASE-NOTES` to be accurate - update `docs/THANKS` - make sure all relevant changes are committed on the master branch - tag the git repo in this style: `git tag -a curl-7_34_0`. -a annotates the tag and we use underscores instead of dots in the version number. Make sure the tag is GPG signed (using -s). - run "./maketgz 7.34.0" to build the release tarballs. It is important that you run this on a machine with the correct set of autotools etc installed as this is what then will be shipped and used by most users on \*nix like systems. - push the git commits and the new tag - gpg sign the 4 tarballs as maketgz suggests - upload the 8 resulting files to the primary download directory in the curl-www repo -------------------- - edit `Makefile` (version number and date), - edit `_newslog.html` (announce the new release) and - edit `_changes.html` (insert changes+bugfixes from RELEASE-NOTES) - commit all local changes - tag the repo with the same name as used for the source repo. - make sure all relevant changes are committed and pushed on the master branch (the website then updates its contents automatically) on github --------- - edit the newly made release tag so that it is listed as the latest release inform ------ - send an email to curl-users, curl-announce and curl-library. Insert the RELEASE-NOTES into the mail. celebrate --------- - suitable beverage intake is encouraged for the festivities curl release scheduling ======================= Release Cycle ------------- We do releases every 8 weeks on Wednesdays. If critical problems arise, we can insert releases outside of the schedule or we can move the release date - but this is rare. Each 8 week release cycle is split in two 4-week periods. - During the first 4 weeks after a release, we allow new features and changes to curl and libcurl. If we accept any such changes, we bump the minor number used for the next release. - During the second 4-week period we do not merge any features or changes, we then only focus on fixing bugs and polishing things to make a solid coming release. - After a regular procedure-following release (made on Wednesdays), the feature window remains closed until the following Monday in case of special actions or patch releases etc. If a future release date happens to end up on a "bad date", like in the middle of common public holidays or when the lead release manager is away traveling, the release date can be moved forwards or backwards a full week. This is then advertised well in advance. Coming dates ------------ Based on the description above, here are some planned release dates (at the time of this writing): - August 19, 2020 (7.72.0) - October 14, 2020 - December 9, 2020 - February 3, 2021 - March 31, 2021 - May 26, 2021 - July 21, 2021 - September 15, 2021 - November 10, 2021 The above (and more) curl-related dates are published in [iCalendar format](https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/c9u5d64odop9js55oltfarjk6g%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics) as well.