Release Packaging Checklist

Code tree preparation

• Ensure all outstanding pull requests intended for release have been merged to dev branch.

Update release notes

• Note: GitHub has an option to do this during "draft new release", but Will uses a different process, so ...
  • Query the milestone to show all Issues and PRs.
  • Update the release notes to include all Issues in the milestone.
  • Update the release notes to include any PRs that didn't have an Issue.
  • Prioritize the order of the release notes to have the most important updates at the top of each respective section.
  • Create issue and pull request for release notes.
  • Merge release notes to dev.

Packaging

• First, ensure you're on the dev or master branch, based on the type of release you'll be creating
• Ensure the branch is updated from the appropriate Git remote
• Build the solution in debug mode.
• If successful, now build the solution in release mode.
• Find the package in the website folder one level up from the solution.
  • Look in the ~/website/Install/Module/ folder for the installation and symbols packages.
• Test the installation package using EVS.
• Verify the package can install and upgrade.
• Move forward with the next respective distribution steps.

Creating a new RC release

• From dev branch, draft a new release
  • Copy release notes from the project to the release in GitHub
  • Select Set as a pre-release option
  • Select Create a discussion for this release
  • Update the discussion content body to make the release download more obvious.

Creating a new GA release

• Copy release notes from the project to the release in GitHub
• Merge dev and master branches
• From master branch, draft a new release
  • Select Set as latest release

Verify manifests

• Versions correct for Forums module, Forums Viewer and What's Next module
• SQL script present and versions correct
• Cleanup script (if applicable for given version) in manifest and present in solution
• Create issue and pull request for manifest changes
• Merge manifest updates to dev

Update master branch

• Sync dev branch to master branch
• Sync local repo copy of master

Local build in Visual Studio

• Build first for debug (to create .pdb files)
• Build for release (to build package file)

Verify Extension

• DNN EVS (https://evs.dnnsoftware.com/)
• Install on a local copy of dnncommunity.org

Post release to GitHub.com

• Go back to draft release
• Add binaries
• Publish release
• Close milestone

Announce on Awareness Channels

• GitHub discussions
• dnncommunity.org Announcements forum (or blog post?)