| [p2-dev] [PLEASE READ] API changes MUST be approved by PMC BEFORE releasing |
I sent a similar note out on Monday on this same topic. We must have PMC approval for all API changes that go in after API freeze. There is an API freeze for a reason. The community needs to stabilize on our M6 (API freeze) build. Any API changes at all (even additions) need to be carefully considered and if at all possible deferred until the next release. Any API changes this late in the cycle can be very disruptive to our a adopters and consumers.
If API changes are a must then please ensure the following steps are taken.
1) Post a message to p2-dev mailing list describing the API change, its benefits and and the potential risks (who it breaks, any known clients etc.). If it turns out that the are already a number of clients of the API that is changing within Helios or with in the Eclipse community then we likely need to avoid the change. Any changes that could break a client also must be posted to the cross-project mailing list to make the community aware of the breaking change.
2) Make sure a bug is open to track the API change.
3) Ask for PMC approval on the bug. This is done in a similar way to asking for a patch review on the bug report. There is a section to ask for PMC approval. You must get a +1 from Jeff or myself before releasing the change to CVS.
Please speak up if you have any questions or doubts at all.
Tom