Archive:Release Checklist

Since we don't release all that often or consistently, we seem to forget some key steps in the process. Hence, a checklist!
On this page the term "release" refers to the final stable release tag and binaries.

Testing

The following apply for all supported platforms and architectures.

• Compile.
• Video playback of popular codecs. (xvid, h264, vc1, mpeg2)
• Audio playback of popular codecs. (mp3, aac(+), ogg, flac, , ac3, dts)
• Playback from popular sources. (local, dvd, smb, http)
• Scripts/plugins.
• Initialization of new settings and databases.
• Updating of settings and databases from the last stable release.

Pre-tag/branch

• Update version in configure.in (see AC_INIT)
• Update version string in xbmc/utils/GUIInfoManager.h
• Update version string for OSX installer in xbmc/osx/Info.plist (there are two strings to change)
• Update version string for Windows installer in xbmc/win32/XBMC_PC.rc
• Update any necessary changelogs, readmes, known_bugs
• Update XBMC Credits

Release

• scp binaries to sourceforge in staging folder. xbmc-x.yy-zz.*
• scp exported source tarball to sourceforge.
• move from staging to final location (using shell service)
• update links and analytics on xbmc.org/download
• add xbmc.org frontpage news item. tick 'Announcements' category also (for sidebar)
• Add trac version and set as default milestone.

Post-release

• Update version string in xbmc/utils/GUIInfoManager.h to pre-[NextVersion].
• Remove blanked strings from strings.xml to liberate them for reuse.