Ubuntu Wiki

As with most rules, there are occasional exceptions to the restrictions imposed by the various stages of the Ubuntu release process. These exceptions are granted by the release team based on information provided by the developer who proposes the change.

General Instructions

Requests for freeze exceptions should be filed as bugs in launchpad against the relevant package (or just "Ubuntu" if the package is not available yet). The bug should be set to status of "New" when requesting a freeze exception, to ensure the release team sees the request. Once the bug is filed and the necessary information is available, subscribe ubuntu-release. All freeze exceptions must include the following information, in order to provide them with enough information to weigh the risk of regressions against the benefit of the changes:

• A description of the proposed changes, with sufficient detail to estimate their potential impact on the distribution
• A rationale for the exception, explaining the benefit of the change
• Any additional information which would be helpful in considering the decision

FeatureFreeze Exceptions

A request for an exception to FeatureFreeze should demonstrate that the benefit of new functionality, or the total benefit of a new upstream release which includes it, outweighs the risk of regressions and other potential disruption of the release process.

Exception requests must include the following additional details:

• If the upload is a new upstream microrelease, the relevant part of the upstream changelog and/or release notes
• An explanation of the testing which has been performed on the new version in Ubuntu, including verification that the new package:
  • builds,
  • installs and upgrades,
  • does not break packages which depend on it, or that corresponding updates have been prepared.

FeatureFreeze for new upstream versions

If you want to introduce a new upstream version with new features and/or ABI/API changes, please

• file a bug

• state the reason why you feel it is necessary

  • (other bugs it fixes, etc.)
• attach (as files)

  • diff of the Upstream ChangeLog (not debian/changelog)

    diff -u <package>-{old-version,new-version}/ChangeLog > changelog.diff

  • note that the ChangeLog sometimes is called CHANGES, is missing or the tarball merely has a NEWS file.

  • the NEWS file, if you think that this information helps reviewing your request (true for most gnome packages)

  • build log (as file)

    • pbuilder has the --logfile option.

    • pbuilder-dist and cowbuilder-dist automatically save it as last_operation.log.

  • install log
    • for instance a copy and paste of the install messages from console when installing
  • mention what testing you've done to see that it works
    • a screenshot showing the main features could also be nice

• subscribe (do not assign to) the 'ubuntu-release' team.

• In some cases a standing freeze exception for multiple uploads is the most efficient way to manage the freeze process. Standing freeze exceptions should be requested in bugs using the normal process, although not all elements of a standard FFe request will apply. Once a standing FFe is approved, it must be documented on the Standing Feature Freeze Exception page.

Please note that we expect requesters to have an updated package already prepared and tested! You will need this anyway to provide proper build logs.

Once the Feature Freeze Exception has been ACK'd by a member of the Release Team, the status will be changed to 'Confirmed`. You can then either upload the package (in case you're in motu or ubuntu-core-dev), or follow the SponsorshipProcess.

References:

• Open requests

• Original announcement

FeatureFreeze for bugfix-only updates

Up through RC, if a developer believes that an upload of a new upstream release just has bug fixes in it and hence is warranted, they may upload it. If you have doubts that the bugfix-only update qualifies, please check with a member of ubuntu-release using the regular process. During Milestone Freezes (e.g. BetaFreeze), uploads that are in the main component, or are seeded on a CD / DVD image are subject to a review by ubuntu-release for applicability.

FeatureFreeze for new packages

The ubuntu-release team will consider exceptions, where additions of packages are worthwhile (up until BetaFreeze). Please note: the ubuntu-release team will not review the package for you. You should have followed UbuntuDevelopment/NewPackages before asking for an exception.

Process:

• Follow UbuntuDevelopment/NewPackages.

• File a bug against the Ubuntu distribution (https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+filebug), attach the source package to it (or link to it).

• subscribe (don't assign to) ubuntu-release.

• State why the addition of the package should get considered.

Decision: MOTU/Council/Meetings/2007-02-23.

UserInterfaceFreeze Exceptions

The exception request bug report needs to have a justification why the user interface needs to be changed at that point, and give a rationale why the benefits of it are worth breaking existing documentation and translations.

Every change of the user interface (either a string or the layout) requires you to notify the documentation and translation teams. Please include a link to these posts in the mailing list archives of ubuntu-doc@ and ubuntu-translators@.

After that, subscribe the release team, as usual.

Milestone freeze Exceptions (like BetaFreeze)

During milestone/final release freeze periods, extreme caution is exercised when considering exceptions, as a regression could cause a deadline to be missed, or a build to receive less testing than desired. A request for an exception must demonstrate strong rationale and minimal risk for the update to be considered.

Exception requests must include the following additional details:

• It must fix a bug milestoned for that particular milestone.

• A complete debdiff of the proposed upload must be provided (preferably as bug attachment).

If not seeded on a CD or DVD, the package may be uploaded if it only includes bug fixes. It will be reviewed by ubuntu-release in the queue, and may be rejected if changes are deemed to invasive.

Final Freeze

During the last week of development before the release, all uploads need to get approved by the release team. The date of FinalFreeze may differ for packages in universe/multiverse that are not seeded on a CD / DVD.

Process:

• Either file a bug with the debdiff and assign it to ubuntu-release and get approval for it.

• Or ask a member of the ubuntu-release team on IRC of approval for the debdiff.

Decision: MOTU/Council/Meetings/2007-02-23.

CategoryProcess