TL;DR
Trunk-based development is a software development practice where all developers commit small, frequent changes directly to a single main branch, known as the “trunk.” This approach fosters continuous integration, reduces merge conflicts, and enhances collaboration, making it ideal for agile and DevOps environments.
Concept
Trunk-based development (TBD) is a version control strategy that emphasizes the importance of integrating code changes frequently into a central branch, referred to as the trunk. This practice is designed to streamline the development process by minimizing the use of long-lived feature branches and ensuring that the codebase remains in a deployable state at all times.
Key Features of Trunk-Based Development:
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Single Main Branch: Developers work primarily on one branch (the trunk), where they commit their changes. This approach contrasts with feature-based development, where developers create separate branches for individual features or tasks.
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Frequent Commits: Developers are encouraged to make small, incremental changes and commit them to the trunk regularly, often multiple times a day. This practice helps to keep the codebase current and reduces the complexity of merging.
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Short-Lived Branches: While trunk-based development primarily focuses on the trunk, developers may create short-lived branches for specific tasks. However, these branches should be merged back into the trunk quickly to avoid divergence.
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Continuous Integration: Trunk-based development is closely aligned with continuous integration (CI) practices, where automated tests are run after each commit to ensure that the code remains stable and functional.
Trunk-based development is a powerful practice that aligns well with modern software development methodologies, particularly in agile and DevOps environments. By promoting frequent integration and collaboration, trunk-based development helps teams deliver high-quality software more efficiently while reducing the risks associated with merging and deployment.
