Config Management Camp 2023 Ghent

Feature Branching is Evil
2023-02-06, 11:15–12:05, D Aud

Feature branching is still popular due to the rise of distributed version control systems but certainly also due to OSS and GitHub. Although branch creation has become extremely easy, it comes with a certain invisible cost. Branches break the flow of the IT delivery process, impacting stability and throughput.

The session explores why teams are using feature branches, what problems are introduced by using them and what techniques exist to avoid them altogether. It explores exactly what's evil about feature branches, which is not necessarily the problems they introduce - but rather, the real reasons why teams are using them.

After the session, you'll understand a different branching strategy and how it relates to Continuous Integration.

See also: slide deck

Thierry is a lean IT Engineer at the fintech Abbove.

On the side, he founded ThinkingLabs, an advisory firm on the adoption of Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery.

From time to time he reviews the technology capabilities of organisations for investors wanting to invest in the said organisations.

Thierry is a CI/CD advocate and jack-of-all-trades. Instead of balancing quality & delivery, he believes and practices that better quality is actually a way to more and better deliveries.