Making releases

 



Release work is now driven by the modular make system, the package scripts in
build_scripts/, and the repository publishing scripts. Older release notes
that describe a single contrib/release/build.sh flow are no longer the
complete process.

Release checklist

• Update version metadata in mk/version.mk and any package-specific
  

• Update the manual, changelog, installer notes, and public package text.
  
• Build the native compiler packages and the cross-target packages.
  
• Run package smoke tests from installed layouts, not only from the source
  

• Rebuild the HTML and CHM manuals.
  
• Publish the archives, installers, packages, scripts, and docs to the
  

What to verify

A release should prove the basics on every advertised platform: compiler
startup, normal compile/link, runtime startup/shutdown, graphics when supported,
sound when supported, and package manager installation or removal when packages
are shipped.

Repository publishing

The repository host is fed from the files produced by the build scripts. Keep
old packages archived when a target depends on a single obvious current file,
and keep target directories clean enough that users can understand what to
download without reading the source tree.