Creating a patch to submit (Patch Tracker)

Introduction

You want to contribute to Code::Blocks? - Thank you! That is really appreciated. Hence you can help us even more if you read the following paragraphs carefully.

First of all please make sure the feature you are implementing is not already implemented in the "nigthly builds" of Code::Blocks (https://www.codeblocks.org/nightly). Furthermore browse through the list of available patches at the Code::Blocks project page at BerliOS (see section Patch submission below on how to gain access). If you are unsure, don't hesitate to ask in the forum ([ ]) for advise.

You can make it easier for the developers to integrate your patches if you follow the advices of this page. Patches can be created in different formats. The format that is used by Code::Blocks is called a "unified diff". Hence 3rd party tools may still create a different patch format allthough it may be labelled as "unified diff". To avoid unnecessary incompatibilities the best way to provide a patch is to use the Subversion (SVN) diff (using the command line tool or a SVN GUI application).

What is required?

Not too much, you might already have the required tools installed. You'll need a subversion client software. You can download a current version for your OS at the Subversion project webpage here: http://subversion.tigris.org. It is a good idea to apply your code to the most up-to-date sources of Code::Blocks as they are available at the SVN repository. You'll find the instructions how to obtain the sources here: https://www.codeblocks.org/source_code.shtml. Once you've created your local sandbox you can start integrating your changes into it. Thus you may modify existing files or add new ones. When you have finished please make sure you've verified your implementation (feature(s)) work properly. Now it's time to create the patch.

Patch creation

If you have added new files you first have to register them with your sandbox. Thus go into the directory you've added new files and type at the command line:

svn add filename(s)

...whereas "filename(s)" needs to be replaced with the files you've added. Of course if you are not using the command line version of SVN you can easily use the "Add" feature of your prefered SVN GUI. If you've completed adding all your new files to your sandbox your are ready to create the patch. First of all go to the top-level directory of your sandbox (the first directory that has a hidden ".svn" folder with content). Then type at the command line:

svn.exe diff > my.patch

...replacing "my" with a descriptive name. Please make sure you leave the file extension ".patch" as this avoids conflicts while submitting the patch. This operation may take a while. A connection to the (remote) repository is established to compute the patch data. Please be patient! Once the patch file is created please make sure it contains content! Otherwise make sure you followed the steps above or ask in the forum ([ ]) for support.

Patch submission

By now you are ready to submit your work to the Patch Tracker at BerliOS (http://developer.berlios.de/projects/codeblocks/) - the developer platform for Code::Blocks. If you haven't done already you need to register with BerliOS to gain the right to submit patches to projects. The membership is free and appreciated. Select the "Patches" section (http://developer.berlios.de/patch/?group_id=5358) of the Code::Blocks project page. Click on "Submit A Patch" and fill out the form that appears. For now you only need to select a category for your patch, a descriptive summary and the patch itself. Make sure you enable the checkbox "Upload Patch" and provide the patch file you've just created. Then you are ready for submission - click on the "Submit patch" button on the bottom of the page.

By now you should see the current list of patches with your patch at the top. Please note you can add additional comments or updates to your patch by simply clicking on the patch in the list and fill out the form that appears.

Thank you very much for your submission!