Pull Request Workflows

1. Introduction

Pull requests (PRs) are a fundamental part of collaborative software development, particularly in open-source projects. They allow developers to propose changes to the codebase, enabling code reviews and discussions before merging the changes into the main branch.

2. Key Concepts

Repository: A storage space for your project, which contains all the files and their version history.
Branch: A parallel version of the repository. It allows you to work on different features or fixes without affecting the main codebase.
Merge: The process of combining changes from one branch into another.
Review: The process where team members evaluate the changes proposed in a pull request.

3. Workflow Steps

3.1 Creating a Pull Request

Make changes to your local repository.
Commit your changes with a descriptive message.
```
git commit -m "Add new feature"
```
Push your branch to the remote repository.

git push origin my-feature-branch

Navigate to the repository on your version control platform (e.g., GitHub, GitLab).
Click on "New Pull Request" and select your branch.
Complete the PR template and submit.

3.2 Reviewing a Pull Request

Notify team members about the PR.
Review the code for functionality and style.
Leave comments or request changes if necessary.

3.3 Merging a Pull Request

After approval, merge the PR into the main branch.
Delete the feature branch if it is no longer needed.

4. Best Practices

Keep pull requests small and focused on a single feature or fix.
Write clear and descriptive commit messages.
Engage with reviewers and address their feedback promptly.
Use templates for consistent PR submissions.
Regularly sync your branch with the main branch to avoid conflicts.

5. FAQ

What is the difference between a merge and a rebase?

Merging combines branches together while preserving their history, whereas rebasing rewrites history by applying commits from one branch onto another.

Can I request changes after a pull request is submitted?

Yes, reviewers can request changes, and the author can make updates to the pull request before it is merged.

What should I do if I encounter a merge conflict?

Resolve the conflicts in the affected files locally, commit the resolved changes, and then push the updates to the PR.

6. Workflow Flowchart


graph TD;
    A[Start] --> B[Create Feature Branch];
    B --> C[Make Changes];
    C --> D[Commit Changes];
    D --> E[Push to Remote];
    E --> F[Create Pull Request];
    F --> G[Review PR];
    G -->|Approved| H[Merged];
    G -->|Request Changes| I[Make Changes];
    I --> C;
    H --> J[Delete Feature Branch];
    J --> K[End];