From 9f92798eb4309d0546830533d83f0687cdf63c68 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Ryan VanderMeulen Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2022 07:11:32 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Bug 1788559 - Update the Pocket Guide to include mention of planned dot releases. r=sylvestre DONTBUILD Also do some other miscellaneous clean-ups along the way. Differential Revision: https://phabricator.services.mozilla.com/D156149 --- .../pocket-guide-shipping-firefox.rst | 34 +++++++++++-------- 1 file changed, 19 insertions(+), 15 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/contributing/pocket-guide-shipping-firefox.rst b/docs/contributing/pocket-guide-shipping-firefox.rst index ffa120844063..91fdf1888ccc 100644 --- a/docs/contributing/pocket-guide-shipping-firefox.rst +++ b/docs/contributing/pocket-guide-shipping-firefox.rst @@ -25,13 +25,12 @@ to learn more if interested. Repositories & Channels ----------------------- -Shipping Firefox follows a software release :ref:`train model ` along 3 primary code -:ref:`repositories `; mozilla-central (aka “m-c”), -mozilla-beta, and mozilla-release. Each of these repositories are +Shipping Firefox follows a software release :ref:`train model ` +along 3 primary code :ref:`repositories `; mozilla-central +(aka “m-c”), mozilla-beta, and mozilla-release. Each of these repositories are updated within a defined cadence and built into one of our Firefox products which are released through what is commonly referred to as -:ref:`Channels `: Firefox Nightly, Firefox Beta, and Firefox -Release. +:ref:`Channels `: Firefox Nightly, Firefox Beta, and Firefox Release. **Firefox Nightly** offers access to the latest cutting edge features still under active development. Released every 12 hours with all the @@ -39,9 +38,9 @@ changes that have :ref:`landed ` on mozilla-central. Every `4 weeks `__, we :ref:`merge ` the code from mozilla-central to our -mozilla-beta branch. New code or Features can be added to mozilla-beta +mozilla-beta branch. New code or features can be added to mozilla-beta outside of this 4 week cadence but will be required to land in -mozilla-central and then be :ref:`uplift `\ed into +mozilla-central and then be :ref:`uplifted ` into mozilla-beta. **Firefox Beta** is for developers and early adopters who want to see @@ -63,19 +62,24 @@ branch. **Firefox Developer Edition** *is a separate product based on the mozilla-beta repo and is specifically tailored for Web Developers.* -**Firefox Release** is released every 4 weeks and is the final product -of our Beta cycle. As our primary product shipping to hundreds of -millions of users, interim updates and -:ref:`ride-alongs ` are only shipped to Release if -they contain :ref:`dot release drivers `. +**Firefox Release** is released every 4 weeks and is the end result +of our Beta cycle. This is our primary product shipping to hundreds of +millions of users. While a release is live, interim updates (dot releases) +are used to ship important bug fixes to users prior to the next major release. +These can happen on an as-needed basis when there is an important-enough +:ref:`driver ` to do so (such as a critical bug severely +impairing the usability of the product for some users). In order to provide +better predictability, there is also a planned dot release scheduled for two +weeks after the initial go-live for less-critical fixes and other +:ref:`ride-along fixes ` deemed low-risk enough to include. .. note:: **Firefox ESR (Extended Support Release)** *is a separate - product intended for Enterprise use. Major updates are rolled out 1-2 - times per year to maintain stability and predictability. ESR also + product intended for Enterprise use. Major updates are rolled out once + per year to maintain stability and predictability. ESR also contains a number of policy options not available in the standard Firefox Release. Minor updates are shipped in sync with the Firefox - Release schedule for security and stability fixes only.* + Release schedule for security and select quality fixes only.* Further Reading/Useful links: