Commit 4c362a52 authored by Luca Barbato's avatar Luca Barbato

doc: update developer guide

Refer to the current submission policy and refer to FATE in the
Regression Test section.
parent 86a89ae3
...@@ -23,16 +23,22 @@ audio or video streams. ...@@ -23,16 +23,22 @@ audio or video streams.
@end itemize @end itemize
@section Integrating libavcodec or libavformat in your program @section Integrating libav in your program
You can integrate all the source code of the libraries to link them Shared libraries should be used whenever is possible in order to reduce
statically to avoid any version problem. All you need is to provide a the effort distributors have to pour to support programs and to ensure
'config.mak' and a 'config.h' in the parent directory. See the defines only the public api is used.
generated by ./configure to understand what is needed.
You can use Libav in your commercial program, but you must abide to the
You can use libavcodec or libavformat in your commercial program, but license, LGPL or GPL depending on the specific features used, please refer
@emph{any patch you make must be published}. The best way to proceed is to @url{http://libav.org/legal.html} for a quick checklist and to
to send your patches to the Libav mailing list. @url{http://git.libav.org/?p=libav.git;a=blob;f=COPYING.GPLv2},
@url{http://git.libav.org/?p=libav.git;a=blob;f=COPYING.GPLv3},
@url{http://git.libav.org/?p=libav.git;a=blob;f=COPYING.LGPLv2.1},
@url{http://git.libav.org/?p=libav.git;a=blob;f=COPYING.LGPLv3} for the
exact text of the licenses.
Any modification to the source code can be suggested for inclusion.
The best way to proceed is to send your patches to the Libav mailing list.
@anchor{Coding Rules} @anchor{Coding Rules}
@section Coding Rules @section Coding Rules
...@@ -129,17 +135,33 @@ should also be avoided if they don't make the code easier to understand. ...@@ -129,17 +135,33 @@ should also be avoided if they don't make the code easier to understand.
an "or any later version" clause is also acceptable, but LGPL is an "or any later version" clause is also acceptable, but LGPL is
preferred. preferred.
@item @item
You must not commit code which breaks Libav! (Meaning unfinished but All the patches MUST be reviewed in the mailing list before they are
enabled code which breaks compilation or compiles but does not work or committed.
breaks the regression tests) @item
You can commit unfinished stuff (for testing etc), but it must be disabled The Libav coding style should remain consistent. Changes to
(#ifdef etc) by default so it does not interfere with other developers' conform will be suggested during the review or implemented on commit.
work. @item
Patches should be generated using @code{git format-patch} or directly sent
using @code{git send-email}.
Please make sure you give the proper credit by setting the correct author
in the commit.
@item @item
You do not have to over-test things. If it works for you, and you think it The commit message should have a short first line in the form of
should work for others, then commit. If your code has problems @samp{topic: short description} as header, separated by a newline
(portability, triggers compiler bugs, unusual environment etc) they will be from the body consting in few lines explaining the reason of the patch.
reported and eventually fixed. Referring to the issue on the bug tracker does not exempt to report an
excerpt of the bug.
@item
Work in progress patches should be sent to the mailing list with the [WIP]
or the [RFC] tag.
@item
Branches in public personal repos are advised as way to
work on issues collaboratively.
@item
You do not have to over-test things. If it works for you and you think it
should work for others, send it to the mailing list for review.
If you have doubt about portability please state it in the submission so
people with specific hardware could test it.
@item @item
Do not commit unrelated changes together, split them into self-contained Do not commit unrelated changes together, split them into self-contained
pieces. Also do not forget that if part B depends on part A, but A does not pieces. Also do not forget that if part B depends on part A, but A does not
...@@ -147,70 +169,32 @@ should also be avoided if they don't make the code easier to understand. ...@@ -147,70 +169,32 @@ should also be avoided if they don't make the code easier to understand.
Keeping changes well split into self-contained parts makes reviewing and Keeping changes well split into self-contained parts makes reviewing and
understanding them on the commit log mailing list easier. This also helps understanding them on the commit log mailing list easier. This also helps
in case of debugging later on. in case of debugging later on.
Also if you have doubts about splitting or not splitting, do not hesitate to @item
ask/discuss it on the developer mailing list. Patches that change behavior of the programs (renaming options etc) or
@item public API or ABI should be discussed in depth and possible few days should
Do not change behavior of the programs (renaming options etc) or public pass between discussion and commit.
API or ABI without first discussing it on the libav-devel mailing list. Changes to the build system (Makefiles, configure script) which alter
Do not remove functionality from the code. Just improve! the expected behavior should be considered in the same regard.
Note: Redundant code can be removed.
@item
Do not commit changes to the build system (Makefiles, configure script)
which change behavior, defaults etc, without asking first. The same
applies to compiler warning fixes, trivial looking fixes and to code
maintained by other developers. We usually have a reason for doing things
the way we do. Send your changes as patches to the libav-devel mailing
list, and if the code maintainers say OK, you may commit. This does not
apply to files you wrote and/or maintain.
@item
We refuse source indentation and other cosmetic changes if they are mixed
with functional changes, such commits will be rejected and removed. Every
developer has his own indentation style, you should not change it. Of course
if you (re)write something, you can use your own style, even though we would
prefer if the indentation throughout Libav was consistent (Many projects
force a given indentation style - we do not.). If you really need to make
indentation changes (try to avoid this), separate them strictly from real
changes.
NOTE: If you had to put if()@{ .. @} over a large (> 5 lines) chunk of code,
then either do NOT change the indentation of the inner part within (do not
move it to the right)! or do so in a separate commit
@item
Always fill out the commit log message. Describe in a few lines what you
changed and why. You can refer to mailing list postings if you fix a
particular bug. Comments such as "fixed!" or "Changed it." are unacceptable.
@item
If you apply a patch by someone else, include the name and email address in
the log message. Since the libav-commits mailing list is publicly
archived you should add some SPAM protection to the email address. Send an
answer to libav-devel (or wherever you got the patch from) saying that
you applied the patch.
@item @item
When applying patches that have been discussed (at length) on the mailing When applying patches that have been discussed (at length) on the mailing
list, reference the thread in the log message. list, reference the thread in the log message.
@item @item
Do NOT commit to code actively maintained by others without permission. Subscribe to the libav-devel and libav-commits mailing list.
Send a patch to libav-devel instead. If no one answers within a reasonable Bugs and possible improvements or general questions regarding commits
timeframe (12h for build failures and security fixes, 3 days small changes, are discussed on libav-devel. We expect you to react if problems with
1 week for big patches) then commit your patch if you think it is OK. your code are uncovered.
Also note, the maintainer can simply ask for more time to review!
@item
Subscribe to the libav-commits mailing list. The diffs of all commits
are sent there and reviewed by all the other developers. Bugs and possible
improvements or general questions regarding commits are discussed there. We
expect you to react if problems with your code are uncovered.
@item @item
Update the documentation if you change behavior or add features. If you are Update the documentation if you change behavior or add features. If you are
unsure how best to do this, send a patch to libav-devel, the documentation unsure how best to do this, send an [RFC] patch to libav-devel.
maintainer(s) will review and commit your stuff.
@item @item
Try to keep important discussions and requests (also) on the public All discussions and decisions should be reported on the public developer
developer mailing list, so that all developers can benefit from them. mailing list, so that there is a reference to them.
Other media (e.g. IRC) should be used for coordination and immediate
collaboration.
@item @item
Never write to unallocated memory, never write over the end of arrays, Never write to unallocated memory, never write over the end of arrays,
always check values read from some untrusted source before using them always check values read from some untrusted source before using them
as array index or other risky things. as array index or other risky things. Always use valgrind to doublecheck.
@item @item
Remember to check if you need to bump versions for the specific libav Remember to check if you need to bump versions for the specific libav
parts (libavutil, libavcodec, libavformat) you are changing. You need parts (libavutil, libavcodec, libavformat) you are changing. You need
...@@ -223,13 +207,12 @@ should also be avoided if they don't make the code easier to understand. ...@@ -223,13 +207,12 @@ should also be avoided if they don't make the code easier to understand.
Incrementing the third component means a noteworthy binary compatible Incrementing the third component means a noteworthy binary compatible
change (e.g. encoder bug fix that matters for the decoder). change (e.g. encoder bug fix that matters for the decoder).
@item @item
Compiler warnings indicate potential bugs or code with bad style. If a type of Compiler warnings indicate potential bugs or code with bad style.
warning always points to correct and clean code, that warning should
be disabled, not the code changed.
Thus the remaining warnings can either be bugs or correct code.
If it is a bug, the bug has to be fixed. If it is not, the code should If it is a bug, the bug has to be fixed. If it is not, the code should
be changed to not generate a warning unless that causes a slowdown be changed to not generate a warning unless that causes a slowdown
or obfuscates the code. or obfuscates the code.
If a type of warning leads to too many false positives, that warning
should be disabled, not the code changed.
@item @item
If you add a new file, give it a proper license header. Do not copy and If you add a new file, give it a proper license header. Do not copy and
paste it from a random place, use an existing file as template. paste it from a random place, use an existing file as template.
...@@ -237,16 +220,15 @@ should also be avoided if they don't make the code easier to understand. ...@@ -237,16 +220,15 @@ should also be avoided if they don't make the code easier to understand.
We think our rules are not too hard. If you have comments, contact us. We think our rules are not too hard. If you have comments, contact us.
Note, these rules are mostly borrowed from the MPlayer project. Note, some rules were borrowed from the MPlayer project.
@section Submitting patches @section Submitting patches
First, (@pxref{Coding Rules}) above if you did not yet. First, read the (@pxref{Coding Rules}) above if you did not yet, in particular
the rules regarding patch submission.
When you submit your patch, try to send a unified diff (diff '-up'
option). We cannot read other diffs :-)
Also please do not submit a patch which contains several unrelated changes. As stated already, please do not submit a patch which contains several
unrelated changes.
Split it into separate, self-contained pieces. This does not mean splitting Split it into separate, self-contained pieces. This does not mean splitting
file by file. Instead, make the patch as small as possible while still file by file. Instead, make the patch as small as possible while still
keeping it as a logical unit that contains an individual change, even keeping it as a logical unit that contains an individual change, even
...@@ -256,8 +238,8 @@ for us and greatly increases your chances of getting your patch applied. ...@@ -256,8 +238,8 @@ for us and greatly increases your chances of getting your patch applied.
Use the patcheck tool of Libav to check your patch. Use the patcheck tool of Libav to check your patch.
The tool is located in the tools directory. The tool is located in the tools directory.
Run the regression tests before submitting a patch so that you can Run the @pxref{Regression Tests} before submitting a patch in order to verify
verify that there are no big problems. it does not cause unexpected problems.
Patches should be posted as base64 encoded attachments (or any other Patches should be posted as base64 encoded attachments (or any other
encoding which ensures that the patch will not be trashed during encoding which ensures that the patch will not be trashed during
...@@ -266,16 +248,20 @@ transmission) to the libav-devel mailing list, see ...@@ -266,16 +248,20 @@ transmission) to the libav-devel mailing list, see
It also helps quite a bit if you tell us what the patch does (for example It also helps quite a bit if you tell us what the patch does (for example
'replaces lrint by lrintf'), and why (for example '*BSD isn't C99 compliant 'replaces lrint by lrintf'), and why (for example '*BSD isn't C99 compliant
and has no lrint()') and has no lrint()'). This kind of explanation should be the body of the
commit message.
Also please if you send several patches, send each patch as a separate mail, Also please if you send several patches, send each patch as a separate mail,
do not attach several unrelated patches to the same mail. do not attach several unrelated patches to the same mail.
Use @code{git send-email} when possible since it will properly send patches
without requiring extra care.
Your patch will be reviewed on the mailing list. You will likely be asked Your patch will be reviewed on the mailing list. You will likely be asked
to make some changes and are expected to send in an improved version that to make some changes and are expected to send in an improved version that
incorporates the requests from the review. This process may go through incorporates the requests from the review. This process may go through
several iterations. Once your patch is deemed good enough, some developer several iterations. Once your patch is deemed good enough, it will be
will pick it up and commit it to the official Libav tree. committed to the official Libav tree.
Give us a few days to react. But if some time passes without reaction, Give us a few days to react. But if some time passes without reaction,
send a reminder by email. Your patch should eventually be dealt with. send a reminder by email. Your patch should eventually be dealt with.
...@@ -301,8 +287,8 @@ send a reminder by email. Your patch should eventually be dealt with. ...@@ -301,8 +287,8 @@ send a reminder by email. Your patch should eventually be dealt with.
even if it is only a decoder? even if it is only a decoder?
@item @item
Did you add a rule to compile the appropriate files in the Makefile? Did you add a rule to compile the appropriate files in the Makefile?
Remember to do this even if you're just adding a format to a file that is Remember to do this even if you are just adding a format to a file that
already being compiled by some other rule, like a raw demuxer. is already being compiled by some other rule, like a raw demuxer.
@item @item
Did you add an entry to the table of supported formats or codecs in Did you add an entry to the table of supported formats or codecs in
@file{doc/general.texi}? @file{doc/general.texi}?
...@@ -312,7 +298,7 @@ send a reminder by email. Your patch should eventually be dealt with. ...@@ -312,7 +298,7 @@ send a reminder by email. Your patch should eventually be dealt with.
If it depends on a parser or a library, did you add that dependency in If it depends on a parser or a library, did you add that dependency in
configure? configure?
@item @item
Did you "git add" the appropriate files before committing? Did you @code{git add} the appropriate files before committing?
@end enumerate @end enumerate
@section patch submission checklist @section patch submission checklist
...@@ -322,13 +308,12 @@ send a reminder by email. Your patch should eventually be dealt with. ...@@ -322,13 +308,12 @@ send a reminder by email. Your patch should eventually be dealt with.
Do the regression tests pass with the patch applied? Do the regression tests pass with the patch applied?
@item @item
Does @code{make checkheaders} pass with the patch applied? Does @code{make checkheaders} pass with the patch applied?
@item
Is the patch a unified diff?
@item @item
Is the patch against latest Libav git master branch? Is the patch against latest Libav git master branch?
@item @item
Are you subscribed to ffmpeg-dev? Are you subscribed to libav-devel?
(the list is subscribers only due to spam) (@url{https://lists.libav.org/mailman/listinfo/libav-devel}
the list is subscribers)
@item @item
Have you checked that the changes are minimal, so that the same cannot be Have you checked that the changes are minimal, so that the same cannot be
achieved with a smaller patch and/or simpler final code? achieved with a smaller patch and/or simpler final code?
...@@ -343,9 +328,6 @@ send a reminder by email. Your patch should eventually be dealt with. ...@@ -343,9 +328,6 @@ send a reminder by email. Your patch should eventually be dealt with.
Did you test your decoder or demuxer against damaged data? If no, see Did you test your decoder or demuxer against damaged data? If no, see
tools/trasher and the noise bitstream filter. Your decoder or demuxer tools/trasher and the noise bitstream filter. Your decoder or demuxer
should not crash or end in a (near) infinite loop when fed damaged data. should not crash or end in a (near) infinite loop when fed damaged data.
@item
Is the patch created from the root of the source tree, so it can be
applied with @code{patch -p0}?
@item @item
Does the patch not mix functional and cosmetic changes? Does the patch not mix functional and cosmetic changes?
@item @item
...@@ -381,8 +363,6 @@ send a reminder by email. Your patch should eventually be dealt with. ...@@ -381,8 +363,6 @@ send a reminder by email. Your patch should eventually be dealt with.
@item @item
Lines with similar content should be aligned vertically when doing so Lines with similar content should be aligned vertically when doing so
improves readability. improves readability.
@item
Did you provide a suggestion for a clear commit log message?
@end enumerate @end enumerate
@section Patch review process @section Patch review process
...@@ -401,37 +381,22 @@ After a patch is approved it will be committed to the repository. ...@@ -401,37 +381,22 @@ After a patch is approved it will be committed to the repository.
We will review all submitted patches, but sometimes we are quite busy so We will review all submitted patches, but sometimes we are quite busy so
especially for large patches this can take several weeks. especially for large patches this can take several weeks.
When resubmitting patches, please do not make any significant changes When resubmitting patches, if their size grew or during the review different
not related to the comments received during review. Such patches will issues arisen please split the patch so each issue has a specific patch.
be rejected. Instead, submit significant changes or new features as
separate patches.
@section Regression tests
Before submitting a patch (or committing to the repository), you should at least
test that you did not break anything.
The regression tests build a synthetic video stream and a synthetic @anchor{Regression Tests}
audio stream. These are then encoded and decoded with all codecs or @section Regression Tests
formats. The CRC (or MD5) of each generated file is recorded in a
result file. A 'diff' is launched to compare the reference results and
the result file. The output is checked immediately after each test
has run.
The regression tests then go on to test the FFserver code with a Before submitting a patch (or committing to the repository), you should at
limited set of streams. It is important that this step runs correctly least make sure that it does not break anything.
as well.
Run 'make test' to test all the codecs and formats. Commands like If the code changed has already a test present in FATE you should run it,
'make regtest-mpeg2' can be used to run a single test. By default, otherwise it is advised to add it.
make will abort if any test fails. To run all tests regardless,
use make -k. To get a more verbose output, use 'make V=1 test' or
'make V=2 test'.
Run 'make fulltest' to test all the codecs, formats and FFserver. Improvements to codec or demuxer might change the FATE results. Make sure
to commit the update reference with the change and to explain in the comment
why the expected result changed.
[Of course, some patches may change the results of the regression tests. In Please refer to @file{doc/fate.txt}.
this case, the reference results of the regression tests shall be modified
accordingly].
@bye @bye
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