Index: docs/release_process.md |
diff --git a/docs/release_process.md b/docs/release_process.md |
new file mode 100644 |
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..c6b36ad68eef2be2b34226785a368b8b05e20caf |
--- /dev/null |
+++ b/docs/release_process.md |
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@ |
+# Introduction |
+ |
+The V8 release process is tightly connected to [Chrome's](https://www.chromium.org/getting-involved/dev-channel). The V8 team is using all four Chrome release channels to push new versions to the users. |
+ |
+If you want to look up what V8 version is in a Chrome release you can check [OmahaProxy](https://omahaproxy.appspot.com/). For each Chrome release a separate branch is created in the V8 repository to make the trace-back easier e.g. for [Chrome 45.0.2413.0](https://chromium.googlesource.com/v8/v8.git/+/chromium/2413). |
+ |
+# Canary releases |
+Every day a new Canary build is pushed to the users via [Chrome's Canary channel](https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/canary.html?platform=win64). Normally the deliverable is the latest, stable enough version from [master](https://chromium.googlesource.com/v8/v8.git/+/roll). |
+ |
+Branches for a Canary normally look like this |
+ |
+``` |
+remotes/origin/4.5.35 |
+``` |
+ |
+# Dev releases |
+Every week a new Dev build is pushed to the users via [Chrome's Dev channel](https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/desktop/index.html?extra=devchannel&platform=win64). Normally the deliverable includes the latest stable enough V8 version on the Canary channel. |
+ |
+Branches for a Dev normally look like this |
+ |
+``` |
+remotes/origin/4.5.35 |
+``` |
+ |
+# Beta releases |
+Roughly every 6 weeks a new major branch is created e.g. [for Chrome 44](https://chromium.googlesource.com/v8/v8.git/+log/branch-heads/4.4). This is happening in sync with the creation of [Chrome's Beta channel](https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/beta.html?platform=win64). The Chrome Beta is pinned to the head of V8's branch. After approx. 6 weeks the branch is promoted to Stable. |
+ |
+Changes are only cherry-picked onto the branch in order to stabilize the version. |
+ |
+Branches for a Beta normally look like this |
+ |
+``` |
+remotes/branch-heads/4.5 |
+``` |
+ |
+They are based on a Canary branch. |
+ |
+# Stable releases |
+Roughly every 6 weeks a new major Stable release is done. No special branch is created as the latest Beta branch is simply promoted to Stable. This version is pushed to the users via [Chrome's Stable channel](https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/desktop/index.html?platform=win64). |
+ |
+Branches for a Stable normally look like this |
+ |
+``` |
+remotes/branch-heads/4.5 |
+``` |
+ |
+They are promoted (reused) Beta branches. |
+ |
+# Which version should I embed in my application? |
+ |
+The tip of the same branch that Chrome's Stable channel uses. |
+ |
+We often backmerge important bug fixes to a stable branch, so if you care about stability and security and correctness, you should include those updates too -- that's why we recommend "the tip of the branch", as opposed to an exact version. |
+ |
+As soon as a new branch is promoted to Stable, we stop maintaining the previous stable branch. This happens every six weeks, so you should be prepared to update at least this often. |
+ |
+Example: The current stable Chrome release is [44.0.2403.125](https://omahaproxy.appspot.com), with V8 4.4.63.25. So you should embed [branch-heads/4.4](https://chromium.googlesource.com/v8/v8.git/+/branch-heads/4.4). And you should update to branch-heads/4.5 when Chrome 45 is released on the Stable channel. |