As introduced by issue 96, the structure adopted for the MDAnalysis source code central repository is based on the model which is fully described here: http://nvie.com/posts/a-successful-git-branching-model/.

This model relies on two main branches:

• a master branch containing production-ready code.
• a develop branch that reflects the latest delivered development changes for the next release.

In addition to these two branches with an infinite lifetime, three kinds of supporting branches may also used occasionally:

• feature branches.
• release branches.
• hotfix branches.

The master branch should always reflect a production-ready state. In other words, this branch is used to "store" releases so an end-user cloning this branch will have 1. a stable code and 2. the "raw and unpackaged" version of the last stable release.

The develop branch is the main development. This branch should not contain highly experimental code but should rather be considered as an "integration branch": when code is stable enough to be added to the next release, it may be added to this branch.

As opposed to the main or develop branches, the supporting branches are used (more or less) temporarily. Their goal is to aid parallel development between team members by:

• easing tracking of features. (feature branches)
• preparing for production releases. (release branches)
• assisting in quickly fixing live production problems. (hotfix branches)

The feature branches are used to develop new features for the upcoming or a distant future release. A typical feature branch would exist as long as the feature is in development and should be deleted when the code is merged into the develop branch (or if the feature is discarded).

• May branch from: develop
• Must be merged into: develop
• Naming convention: about anything except master, develop, release-*, hotfix-*

The release branches are used to prepare a new production release. They allow last-minute fixes and verifications to make sure everything is OK before a "public" release.

• May branch from: develop
• Must be merged into: develop and master
• Naming convention: release-*

The hotfix branches are used typically used when a critical bug is found in a production release. Everything related to the resolution of the bug should be handled in a hotfix branch and then propagated to develop and master.

• May branch from: master
• Must be merged into: develop and master
• Naming convention: hotfix-*