🌳 Trunk-Based Development (TBD)

Trunk-Based Development (TBD) is a version control management practice where developers integrate small and frequent changes into a main branch, known as the "trunk" or "main." This strategy supports continuous integration and enhances software delivery performance.

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❓ What is Trunk-Based Development?

In TBD, developers work on small updates that are regularly merged into the main branch. Unlike models such as Gitflow, which rely on long-lived feature branches, TBD encourages short-lived branches or direct integration into the trunk. This reduces merge complexity and minimizes conflicts.

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✅ Advantages of Trunk-Based Development

• Improved Continuous Integration: Small, frequent merges help catch bugs early and keep the codebase stable.
• Faster Deployments: Simplified branch management leads to shorter development cycles and more efficient continuous delivery.
• Reduced Merge Conflicts: By avoiding long-lived branches, code conflicts are minimized, making team collaboration smoother.

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🔀 Comparison: Trunk-Based Development vs. Gitflow

While Gitflow uses multiple primary branches and long-lived feature branches, TBD focuses on a single main branch with frequent integrations.

Gitflow can be beneficial for teams needing strict version control, but it often introduces additional complexity in managing branches and merges.

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🛠️ Implementing Trunk-Based Development

To adopt TBD, consider these steps:

• Frequent Integrations: Encourage developers to merge changes into the main branch at least once a day.
• Automated Testing: Set up a strong suite of automated tests to ensure integrations don’t introduce bugs.
• Feature Toggles: Use feature flags to manage in-progress features without needing extra branches.
• Code Reviews: Establish code reviews to maintain quality and foster knowledge sharing across the team.