Julkaisuhaarojen

Julkaisuhaarojen, often translated as "publication branches" or "release branches," is a concept used in software development and version control to manage the development and distribution of different versions of a software product. Typically, a main development branch, often referred to as trunk or main, is where all new features and ongoing development occur. When a stable version of the software is ready for release, a publication branch is created from this main development line.

This publication branch serves as a snapshot of the code at a specific point in time. It is then used for bug fixes and minor updates that are specific to that release, ensuring that the main development branch remains free to incorporate new features without being bogged down by urgent patches. This separation allows for a more organized and controlled release process. Once a publication branch has reached its end of life or is superseded by a new major release, it is typically no longer actively maintained, though it may be archived for historical purposes. The exact implementation and naming conventions for publication branches can vary depending on the version control system and the development team's workflow.