How to Incorporate GIT in Your Agile Workflow

In the fast-paced world of software development, incorporating efficient tools and workflows is crucial. One such tool that has gained immense popularity is Git. This distributed version control system, created by Linus Torvalds, the mastermind behind the Linux kernel, offers a wide range of benefits for agile teams. In this article, we will explore the Git flow workflow and how agile teams can seamlessly integrate Git into their workflow for enhanced collaboration and productivity.

What is the Git Flow Workflow?

Before diving into the integration of Git into your agile workflow, it’s essential to understand the basics of the Git Flow workflow. Git operates with three main states of files:

Modified Files

These are files that have been changed but not committed by the development team.

Staged Files

These files represent the current version of a modified file that has been marked for inclusion in the upcoming commit.

Committed Files

These files are saved in your local database and represent specific versions of your code.

In the Git workflow, three essential terms are synonymous with Git and integral to understanding the state of files:

Repository

This refers to the storage location of your code, typically found in a folder on your local machine.

Branches

Branches are subfolders within the repository that store new code before merging it into the main repository. The default Main Branch is created when you add the first code to the repository.

Commits

Commits represent different code versions within the branches, with each commit reflecting a specific version of the code.

The Git workflow comprises five branch types:

1. Main Branch

   • The main branch, also known as the master branch, contains production-ready code.
   • Automated testing ensures that other branches merge with the main branch after sufficient testing.

2. Develop Branch

   • Similar to the main branch, the develop branch is used from the project’s inception.
   • It houses pre-production code with new features that are in the testing process.

3. Feature Branch

   • Every time a new feature is added to the code, a feature branch is created.
   • New branches stem from the develop branch as features undergo development.

4. Release Branch

   • The release branch is used to prepare for product releases.
   • Quality assurance and product teams manage minor bug fixes and finishing touches.

5. Hotfix Branch

   • Hotfix branches are used for quick changes to the main branch, resolving critical issues that affect end-users.

6 Steps to Integrate Git In Your Agile Workflow

Now that we have a basic understanding of Git and the Git Flow workflow, let’s delve into the six steps for integrating Git into your agile workflow:

1. Develop and Main Branches

   • Your local repository has two main branches: main and develop.
   • The main branch contains working versions of clean code, and commits should be tagged with version numbers.
   • Merging with the main branch starts the interaction flow between the two branches.

2. Create a Feature Branch

   • For each task or feature, create a feature branch.
   • Feature branches feed into the develop branch but never into the main branch.

3. Work on the Feature Branch

   • Implement the development process for each task on the feature branch.
   • As tasks are completed, push them to the server.

4. Review the Feature Branch

   • After pushing tasks to the server, a team member should create a new Pull Request or Merge Request for code reviews.

5. Approve the Feature Branch

   • After the review, the team member approves the request.
   • If changes are needed, the reviewer requests improvements.

6. Merge the Feature Branch and Finish

   • Upon approval, the feature branch is merged into the develop branch, and the feature branch is deleted.

Ensure that you adhere to the following rules for a smooth Git integration:

• Avoid working on the master branch.
• Run tests before committing new code and after pull requests.
• Do not commit directly to the master branch.
• Describe any new features using Issues.
• Use Git rebase to merge feature branches into the master branch.

Another best practice is to implement shorter release cycles to ensure your main branch is always ready for new features.

Three Tips to Ensure Integration Success

For a successful integration of Git into your agile workflow, consider the following tips:

1. Start Considering Tasks as Git Branches

   • Hold a feature kick-off meeting where you assign tasks to individual developers.
   • Create a new branch for each new issue or feature to ensure isolated code versions for multiple concurrent tasks.

2. Test Each Individual Branch

   • Set up automated tests for code reviews for continuous integration.
   • Notify team members when branch work is ready for review through pull requests.

3. Better Quality and Transparency Through Git

   • After merging a feature branch into the main branch, your agile workflow ends.
   • Peer reviews and relevant changes ensure the code is ready for release.

Git in Agile Workflow: Final Thoughts

Incorporating Git into your agile workflow can significantly enhance the efficiency of your software development process. By automating sprints, you can streamline version releases and reduce the time and costs associated with resolving issues. Git’s role in providing automation, easy testing, and better agility cannot be overstated.

Conclusion

Before your next sprint, consider how integrating Git can make your process more efficient. By adopting these practices, you can ensure smoother development, quicker releases, and increased confidence among your team members.