From 026d7bd11236aa449d3cbdad48dc3a5def4dfbbf Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Axel Kohlmeyer Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2021 23:26:22 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] update description of development model and release cycles --- doc/src/Manual_version.rst | 21 +++++++++++++++------ 1 file changed, 15 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-) diff --git a/doc/src/Manual_version.rst b/doc/src/Manual_version.rst index a57c8512a6..8a9023dcc6 100644 --- a/doc/src/Manual_version.rst +++ b/doc/src/Manual_version.rst @@ -2,12 +2,21 @@ What does a LAMMPS version mean ------------------------------- The LAMMPS "version" is the date when it was released, such as 1 May -2014. LAMMPS is updated continuously. Whenever we fix a bug or add a -feature, we release it in the next *patch* release, which are -typically made every couple of weeks. Info on patch releases are on -`this website page `_. Every few -months, the latest patch release is subjected to more thorough testing -and labeled as a *stable* version. +2014. LAMMPS is updated continuously and we aim to keep it working +correctly and reliably at all times. You can follow its development +in a public `git repository on GitHub `_. + +Whenever we fix a bug or update or add a feature, it will be merged into +the `master` branch of the git repository. When a sufficient number of +changes have accumulated *and* the software passes a set of automated +tests, we release it in the next *patch* release, which are made every +few weeks. Info on patch releases are on `this website page +`_. + +Once or twice a year, only bugfixes and small, non-intrusive changes are +included for a period of time, and the code is subjected to more detailed +and thorough testing than the default automated testing. The latest +patch release after such a period is then labeled as a *stable* version. Each version of LAMMPS contains all the features and bug-fixes up to and including its version date.