under construction
Introduction
The IGB community aims to release new versions the IGB software at least twice per year.
Sometimes releases happen more frequently, depending on the degree of changes we've implemented, user demand for new features, and so on.
Release cycle
The cycle begins with discussion and description of new features and changes to the code.
Typically, we review feature requests and bug reports submitted to sourceforge and our notes from the previous release cycle, when ideas for improving and simplifying the underlying code base presented themselves.
In general, we aim to improve the experience for users while also improving the underlying code base to support long-term development and make it easier for new developers to contribute.
- Development phase - proceeds "on the trunk"
- Branching the code - development proceeds "on the trunk" and "on the branch." Only minor "bug fix" changes are made to the branch.
- Alpha release - all known bugs we plan to fix are fixed on the branch (and trunk), and we set up an IGB "pre-release" download page for the IGB community to try out the new software, give us feedback. Testing continues.
- Beta release - the new version of IGB is released "in beta" and becomes the major IGB available from the main Java Web Start download set at bioviz.org/igb. Sites that use the Bioviz Java Web Start pages on their sites also pick up the new changes. (This includes Affymetrix, Huntsman Cancer Institute, and other sites.) Testing continues.
- Final release - the official release of the new IGB version happens. Meanwhile, and any bug reports from the community are addressed. "Bug fix" (minor) releases may also occur, as needed.
In parallel to releases on the Java Web Start page at Bioviz.org, we also release compiled versions of the IGB software on sourceforge.net. This is for users who can't launch IGB using Java Web Start or want to take advantage of IGB's command line features. Some users' IT infrastructure blocks Java Web Start programs from launching, and so these users download an "igb.zip" file which they then unpack and then use to run IGB by double-clicking one of the "run_igb" scripts.