patchseries

A patch series is a collection of related code changes, typically submitted together for review and integration into a larger software project. In software development, especially in open-source communities, changes are often made in small, incremental steps. A patch series allows developers to group these individual changes into a logical unit, making it easier for reviewers to understand the overall impact of the modifications.

Each individual change within a series is known as a patch. Patches are usually generated using version control systems like Git. They represent the difference between two versions of a file or a set of files. When submitting a patch series, developers aim to ensure that each patch addresses a single logical issue or feature and that the series as a whole is functional and stable.

The purpose of a patch series is to streamline the code review and integration process. Reviewers can examine each patch sequentially, verifying its correctness, style, and adherence to project guidelines. This modular approach helps identify and address potential problems early on, reducing the risk of introducing regressions or bugs. Once a patch series is approved by the maintainers, it can be merged into the main codebase. This method is a cornerstone of collaborative software development, promoting code quality and maintainability.