The role of patch review in software evolution: an analysis of the mozilla firefox

Authors:
Mehrdad Nurolahzade;Seyed Mehdi Nasehi;Shahedul Huq Khandkar;Shreya Rawal
Affiliations:
University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada;University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada;University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada;University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
Venue:
Proceedings of the joint international and annual ERCIM workshops on Principles of software evolution (IWPSE) and software evolution (Evol) workshops
Year:
2009

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Abstract

Patch review is the basic mechanism for validating the design and implementation of patches and maintaining consistency in some commercial and Free/Libre/Open Source Software (FLOSS) projects. We examine the inner-workings of the development process of the successful and mature Mozilla foundation and highlight how different parties involved affect and steer the process. Although reviewers are the primary actors in the patch review process, success in the process can only be achieved if the community supports reviewers adequately. Peer developers play the supporting role by offering insight and ideas that help create more quality patches. Moreover, they reduce the huge patch backlog reviewers have to clear by identifying and eliminating immature patches.