1. Release definition & scheduling
G.Cosmo - Release definition & scheduling
October 9th, 2002
Release definition & scheduling
Gabriele Cosmo (CERN/IT-API)
Geant4 delta-review

2. G.Cosmo - Release definition & scheduling
October 9th, 2002
Outline
Addressing recommendation #4.1:
“ We recommend a release schedule planned around a set of
corrections and improvements. Both the schedule and the planned
features should be readily accessible to all users and developers ”
Release policy for scheduled releases defined in 1998 with dynamic evolution during the last four years of production
Release policy reviewed in September 2001 to allow for a more flexible definition of minor and major stable releases based on development and fixes
Features of future releases regularly published on Web
October 9th, 2002
Geant4 delta-review - G.Cosmo, Release definition & scheduling
Geant4 delta-review

3. Release policy (stable releases)
Published on the Web:
Scheduled stable releases twice a year
Defined major or minor according to scheduled development and available bug-fixes
Interface changes only allowed in major releases
Public patches distributed according to need and severity of bug-fixes
Planned features for next release published on Web and updated at any new release (since release 4.1)
October 9th, 2002
Geant4 delta-review - G.Cosmo, Release definition & scheduling

4. Release Schedule definition
Based on prioritization of development
User requirements from experiments
Important fixes for outstanding problems
Scheduled development approved in the TSB
Requirements from generic users
Code migrations or infrastructure issues
Release schedule published once approved by the TSB
October 9th, 2002
Geant4 delta-review - G.Cosmo, Release definition & scheduling

5. Geant4 delta-review - G.Cosmo, Release definition & scheduling
Conclusions
Release policy dynamically evolved since its definition in1998
Minor and major stable releases are defined on the basis of the development and planned features
Features of future releases are now regularly published on Web
Possible evolutions:
Enhance release process to include distribution of pre-installed kits (CD-ROMs, RPMs, …)
October 9th, 2002
Geant4 delta-review - G.Cosmo, Release definition & scheduling