The myth of the ‘shared development model’

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The myth of the ‘shared development model’

Phil Factor

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July 1, 2014 at 9:15 pm

#292875

Comments posted to this topic are about the item The myth of the ‘shared development model’
Best wishes,
Phil Factor

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Gary Varga SSC Guru Points: 82166 More actions · Answer 1

Development environments should be as simple as you can get away with but not simpler (to deliberately misquote Einstein).

All code should be under source control at any point it is released (even internally), to be worked on by multiple team members (under any guise) or passed on between team members. Other restrictions due to local best practices may apply.

That is my opinion. Others will have differing ones from their different experiences, environments and requirements.

Gaz

-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

call.copse SSCoach Points: 18064 More actions · Answer 2

I think even those simple requirements would tax many shops to be fair Gary. I think it's a reasonable summary of minimum requirements - I don't think it's sensible to say there is anything too much you should definitely do - circumstances are all different.

I think it interesting to hear Mr Factor has never reverted SQL code during active development - I was trying to think of when I have done so, and failed. What I have more often used SQL Source Control for is a) checking changes made by other team members b) reviewing what the code was doing at some point in history and why it has been changed to what it does now. Both of these are incredibly useful but not exactly the primary purpose of source control as I originally thought of it, as a developer.

Gary Varga SSC Guru Points: 82166 More actions · Answer 3

call.copse (7/2/2014)
I think even those simple requirements would tax many shops to be fair Gary. I think it's a reasonable summary of minimum requirements - I don't think it's sensible to say there is anything too much you should definitely do - circumstances are all different.
I think it interesting to hear Mr Factor has never reverted SQL code during active development - I was trying to think of when I have done so, and failed. What I have more often used SQL Source Control for is a) checking changes made by other team members b) reviewing what the code was doing at some point in history and why it has been changed to what it does now. Both of these are incredibly useful but not exactly the primary purpose of source control as I originally thought of it, as a developer.

In my opinion, the minimum requirements should not be too taxing for any professional software developer (including database developer) to achieve. Of course, source control could be achieved by saving it to a network location as specified in the editorial. However, I maintain my stance that this is the minimum.

Everyone is entitled to disagree. My opinion is just that: my opinion.

🙂

Gaz

-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

Andrew..Peterson SSCertifiable Points: 6838 More actions · Answer 4

Wow, I'm just amazed that this is such a sensitive topic. As the others have said, each organization has its own approach. As long as it works. But it must work, if not then its time to improve.

The more you are prepared, the less you need it.

Gary Varga SSC Guru Points: 82166 More actions · Answer 5

Friendly, passionate debate but with mutual respect. I am quite happy to disagree and be disagreed with. Where is the value of debate if there isn't point and counterpoint?

Right, ladies and gentlemen?

Gaz

-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

call.copse SSCoach Points: 18064 More actions · Answer 6

Sorry folks - wasn't trying to be contentious - just reflecting on the poor state of some shops I've encountered. I was pretty much agreeing with you Gary.

Gary Varga SSC Guru Points: 82166 More actions · Answer 7

call.copse (7/4/2014)
Sorry folks - wasn't trying to be contentious - just reflecting on the poor state of some shops I've encountered. I was pretty much agreeing with you Gary.

No worries. It's all just healthy debate 🙂

Gaz

-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

Tom Wilson SSC Veteran Points: 248 More actions · Answer 8

Regarding the "central/shared" database: We have scripts that do the nightly build process, and do a database install to a shared server, with the extra twist that the build number is part of the database name (as suffix). This central database can be used by a developer who doesn't want/need to install each build locally every day. We don't view the central install as "inviolate", they get thrown away after a while; but they let a developer compare a query on their environment versus "how did it work in the build yesterday/week ago/etc."