ZOOM Production Releases page
ZOOM Production Releases
This page was last updated on
July 23, 2001.
ZOOM `Production' Packages
As ZOOM packages become mature, it becomes inappropiate to consider them
as `beta' versions.
When a package reaches the stage where
-
development efforts significantly tail off
- bugs and feature omissions revealed by
actual use of the package have been rectified
we declare that package to be `production' and on longer beta.
The implication is that by sampling the support requirements for a
production package over some period of time, we can judge the ongoing
support requirements.
And, of course, there can be some measure of increased confidence on the
part of users, that most bugs have been shaken out and that the package will
be stable.
What is done differently for a `production' package
When a packages becomes production, that does not imply
that we will decrease bug fix responses, curtail enhancements,
cease porting to necessary new platforms, or stop providing assistance for
physicists to make best use of the package.
It does imply that for a production package we will:
- Treat bug-fix maintenance as the overweaning highest priority.
- Consider suggested enhanvcements more carefully (and possibly formally)
than for a beta package.
- Take extra care to ensure stability, in particular, considering a risk of
instability as a severe negative when deciding whether to incorporate an
enhancement.
- Track both changes in the package, and effort required to maintain the
package.
Three new files are maintained for such packages:
- ProblemTracking:
For each reported bug or clearly mis-designed feature
- Bug report
- Acknowledgement that we can reproduce the bug
- Repair plans
- Progress toward repair
- Notification that the bug is repaired
For sufficiently trivial bugs, only the report and repair notification
need appear.
Also, if we feel it worthwhile to investigate the
"root cause" of the bug, this information will appear in
ProblemTracking.
- FeatureLog:
For each suggestion for enhancement, whether coming from users,
experiment clients, steering committees, or developers' idea:
- Statement of the suggested enhancement
- (where needed)
technical information about what this would entail
- Decision about whether to incorporate the enhancement
Priority assigned and plans
- Status of implementing the enhancement
- SupportLog:
Tracking of all efforts for support of the package
- Bug repair, including platform testing before checkin
- Porting to necessary platforms
- Direct assistance to users
- Structural maintenance
- Documentation upkeep and improvement
- Approved enhancements
The time take for each support activity should be recorded.
These files will be in kept CVS at the top level of the package.
The ProblemTracking and FeatureLog files will be made available on the web;
public perusal is encouraged.
List of ZOOM Production Packages
As of
January 22, 2001:
| Package Name |
Version |
Problem Tracking |
Feature Log |
| ErrorLogger |
2.0 |
*** |
*** |
| Exceptions |
2.0 |
*** |
*** |
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