Overcommitting in Open Source Software Development: Risks and Best Practices
Overcommit is a term used in the context of open source software development, particularly in the context of Git and other version control systems. It refers to the practice of committing changes to a repository that are not yet complete or fully tested, with the intention of finishing them later.
In other words, overcommitting means including unfinished work in a commit, with the intention of returning to it later and completing it. This can be done for various reasons, such as meeting a deadline, getting feedback from others, or simply because the developer is not sure if the changes will work out as expected.
Overcommitting can be risky, as it can lead to a high number of incomplete or broken features in the codebase, which can make it difficult to maintain and debug the software over time. It can also cause frustration among other developers who may have to deal with the consequences of unfinished work.
To avoid overcommitting, developers should strive to commit only completed and tested changes to their repository, and should focus on delivering small, incremental improvements rather than trying to tackle large, complex features all at once. Additionally, developers should communicate openly with their team and stakeholders about their progress and any challenges they may be facing, to ensure that everyone is aware of the status of the project and can plan accordingly.
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