Waltzing with Branches

Explore the intricacies of branch management in version control systems through this ACCU 2016 conference talk by Chris OldWood. Delve into the risk management aspects of branching, examining its common uses in minimizing unanticipated side-effects during critical releases and maintaining developer productivity. Analyze the driving forces behind branch usage, identify potential problems, and discover alternative approaches. Critically evaluate the "cargo cult" mentality surrounding branching practices in software development. Investigate non-version-control related practices that can mitigate risks traditionally addressed through branching. Learn to discern when branching is appropriate and when alternative methods may be more beneficial. Gain insights into complementary practices that help avoid the pitfalls associated with excessive or insufficient branch usage in software product evolution.