What is to be released to the world? (was: Re: What bug report? (Re: Where to report bugs? [WAS: about symbolic links on Desktop]))

[Joe Klemmer]

nusret wrote:

> But it's really nonsense to expect such an involvement from people,
> at least counter-productive. I understand why developers insist on
> the latest SVN, but then, what's the point in releasing beta versions
> to the public? Are you kidding? :)

	I know I'm beating a dead horse here (FYI, I like beating dead horses) 
but this reminded me of something that has become blurred in the open 
source world.  What code should be released to people outside of the 
immediate developers?  Having worked in the old fashioned world of 
computer application development, CICS/VS COBOL II under MVS (and I get 
to b*tchslap the first person who laughs), I remember how the code was 
supposed to be let out.  This is something the open source world really 
should get back into as it makes for a much better end product.  Ok, 
here's the progression (I distaste the term lifecycle) -

Step 0: Start organizing an idea of what you are going to build [Only 
developer(s) see this]

Step 1: Begin coding [Only developer(s) see this]

Step 2: Once you get a functionally working foundation, put together a 
beta [Developers and a select user base see this]

Step 3: Fix bugs and increment beta release [Developers and a select 
user base see this]

Step 4: Once bugs are squashed to the satisfaction of everyone 
concerned, release a production version [Everyone gets to see this]

	Then the whole thing starts over again.  The bottom line is that code 
in SVN should not be the measuring stick for bug fixes.  No one outside 
of the development team should ever see this code.  Once that code is 
stabilized, more or less, then release a beta.  All bug fixes are filed 
against that codebase and only that codebase.

	Now, the great advantage of open source is that this progression can be 
done in a much wider and *much* faster way.  But it should still be the 
foundation of the development process.

Joe

P.S. It's probably a good time to release a beta 2 version.