1 .. SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
2 Copyright 2018 The DPDK contributors
6 Contributing Code to DPDK
7 =========================
9 This document outlines the guidelines for submitting code to DPDK.
11 The DPDK development process is modeled (loosely) on the Linux Kernel development model so it is worth reading the
12 Linux kernel guide on submitting patches:
13 `How to Get Your Change Into the Linux Kernel <https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/process/submitting-patches.html>`_.
14 The rationale for many of the DPDK guidelines is explained in greater detail in the kernel guidelines.
17 The DPDK Development Process
18 ----------------------------
20 The DPDK development process has the following features:
22 * The code is hosted in a public git repository.
23 * There is a mailing list where developers submit patches.
24 * There are maintainers for hierarchical components.
25 * Patches are reviewed publicly on the mailing list.
26 * Successfully reviewed patches are merged to the repository.
27 * Patches should be sent to the target repository or sub-tree, see below.
28 * All sub-repositories are merged into main repository for ``-rc1`` and ``-rc2`` versions of the release.
29 * After the ``-rc2`` release all patches should target the main repository.
31 The mailing list for DPDK development is `dev@dpdk.org <https://mails.dpdk.org/archives/dev/>`_.
32 Contributors will need to `register for the mailing list <https://mails.dpdk.org/listinfo/dev>`_ in order to submit patches.
33 It is also worth registering for the DPDK `Patchwork <https://patches.dpdk.org/project/dpdk/list/>`_
35 If you are using the GitHub service, pushing to a branch will trigger GitHub
36 Actions to automatically build your changes and run unit tests and ABI checks.
38 Additionally, a Travis configuration is available in DPDK but Travis free usage
39 is limited to a few builds.
40 You can link your repository to the ``travis-ci.com`` build service.
42 The development process requires some familiarity with the ``git`` version control system.
43 Refer to the `Pro Git Book <http://www.git-scm.com/book/>`_ for further information.
48 The DPDK uses the Open Source BSD-3-Clause license for the core libraries and
49 drivers. The kernel components are GPL-2.0 licensed. DPDK uses single line
50 reference to Unique License Identifiers in source files as defined by the Linux
51 Foundation's `SPDX project <http://spdx.org/>`_.
53 DPDK uses first line of the file to be SPDX tag. In case of *#!* scripts, SPDX
54 tag can be placed in 2nd line of the file.
56 For example, to label a file as subject to the BSD-3-Clause license,
57 the following text would be used:
59 ``SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause``
61 To label a file as dual-licensed with BSD-3-Clause and GPL-2.0 (e.g., for code
62 that is shared between the kernel and userspace), the following text would be
65 ``SPDX-License-Identifier: (BSD-3-Clause OR GPL-2.0)``
67 Refer to ``licenses/README`` for more details.
69 Maintainers and Sub-trees
70 -------------------------
72 The DPDK maintenance hierarchy is divided into a main repository ``dpdk`` and sub-repositories ``dpdk-next-*``.
74 There are maintainers for the trees and for components within the tree.
76 Trees and maintainers are listed in the ``MAINTAINERS`` file. For example::
80 M: Some Name <some.name@email.com>
81 T: git://dpdk.org/next/dpdk-next-crypto
84 M: Some One <some.one@email.com>
85 F: drivers/crypto/aesni_gcm/
86 F: doc/guides/cryptodevs/aesni_gcm.rst
90 * ``M`` is a tree or component maintainer.
91 * ``T`` is a repository tree.
92 * ``F`` is a maintained file or directory.
94 Additional details are given in the ``MAINTAINERS`` file.
96 The role of the component maintainers is to:
98 * Review patches for the component or delegate the review.
99 The review should be done, ideally, within 1 week of submission to the mailing list.
100 * Add an ``acked-by`` to patches, or patchsets, that are ready for committing to a tree.
101 * Reply to questions asked about the component.
103 Component maintainers can be added or removed by submitting a patch to the ``MAINTAINERS`` file.
104 Maintainers should have demonstrated a reasonable level of contributions or reviews to the component area.
105 The maintainer should be confirmed by an ``ack`` from an established contributor.
106 There can be more than one component maintainer if desired.
108 The role of the tree maintainers is to:
110 * Maintain the overall quality of their tree.
111 This can entail additional review, compilation checks or other tests deemed necessary by the maintainer.
112 * Commit patches that have been reviewed by component maintainers and/or other contributors.
113 The tree maintainer should determine if patches have been reviewed sufficiently.
114 * Ensure that patches are reviewed in a timely manner.
115 * Prepare the tree for integration.
116 * Ensure that there is a designated back-up maintainer and coordinate a handover for periods where the
117 tree maintainer can't perform their role.
119 Tree maintainers can be added or removed by submitting a patch to the ``MAINTAINERS`` file.
120 The proposer should justify the need for a new sub-tree and should have demonstrated a sufficient level of contributions in the area or to a similar area.
121 The maintainer should be confirmed by an ``ack`` from an existing tree maintainer.
122 Disagreements on trees or maintainers can be brought to the Technical Board.
124 The backup maintainer for the main tree should be selected
125 from the existing sub-tree maintainers of the project.
126 The backup maintainer for a sub-tree should be selected from among the component maintainers within that sub-tree.
129 Getting the Source Code
130 -----------------------
132 The source code can be cloned using either of the following:
136 git clone git://dpdk.org/dpdk
137 git clone https://dpdk.org/git/dpdk
139 sub-repositories (`list <https://git.dpdk.org/next>`_)::
141 git clone git://dpdk.org/next/dpdk-next-*
142 git clone https://dpdk.org/git/next/dpdk-next-*
147 Make your planned changes in the cloned ``dpdk`` repo. Here are some guidelines and requirements:
149 * Follow the :ref:`coding_style` guidelines.
151 * If you add new files or directories you should add your name to the ``MAINTAINERS`` file.
153 * Initial submission of new PMDs should be prepared against a corresponding repo.
155 * Thus, for example, initial submission of a new network PMD should be
156 prepared against dpdk-next-net repo.
158 * Likewise, initial submission of a new crypto or compression PMD should be
159 prepared against dpdk-next-crypto repo.
161 * For other PMDs and more info, refer to the ``MAINTAINERS`` file.
163 * New external functions should be added to the local ``version.map`` file. See
164 the :doc:`ABI policy <abi_policy>` and :ref:`ABI versioning <abi_versioning>`
165 guides. New external functions should also be added in alphabetical order.
167 * Any new API function should be used in ``/app`` test directory.
169 * When introducing a new device API, at least one driver should implement it.
171 * Important changes will require an addition to the release notes in ``doc/guides/rel_notes/``.
172 See the :ref:`Release Notes section of the Documentation Guidelines <doc_guidelines>` for details.
174 * Test the compilation works with different targets, compilers and options, see :ref:`contrib_check_compilation`.
176 * Don't break compilation between commits with forward dependencies in a patchset.
177 Each commit should compile on its own to allow for ``git bisect`` and continuous integration testing.
179 * Add tests to the ``app/test`` unit test framework where possible.
181 * Add documentation, if relevant, in the form of Doxygen comments or a User Guide in RST format.
182 See the :ref:`Documentation Guidelines <doc_guidelines>`.
184 * Code and related documentation must be updated atomically in the same patch.
186 Once the changes have been made you should commit them to your local repo.
188 For small changes, that do not require specific explanations, it is better to keep things together in the
190 Larger changes that require different explanations should be separated into logical patches in a patchset.
191 A good way of thinking about whether a patch should be split is to consider whether the change could be
192 applied without dependencies as a backport.
194 As a guide to how patches should be structured run ``git log`` on similar files.
197 Commit Messages: Subject Line
198 -----------------------------
200 The first, summary, line of the git commit message becomes the subject line of the patch email.
201 Here are some guidelines for the summary line:
203 * The summary line must capture the area and the impact of the change.
205 * The summary line should be around 50 characters.
207 * The summary line should be lowercase apart from acronyms.
209 * It should be prefixed with the component name (use git log to check existing components).
212 ixgbe: fix offload config option name
214 config: increase max queues per port
216 * Use the imperative of the verb (like instructions to the code base).
218 * Don't add a period/full stop to the subject line or you will end up two in the patch name: ``dpdk_description..patch``.
220 The actual email subject line should be prefixed by ``[PATCH]`` and the version, if greater than v1,
221 for example: ``PATCH v2``.
222 The is generally added by ``git send-email`` or ``git format-patch``, see below.
224 If you are submitting an RFC draft of a feature you can use ``[RFC]`` instead of ``[PATCH]``.
225 An RFC patch doesn't have to be complete.
226 It is intended as a way of getting early feedback.
229 Commit Messages: Body
230 ---------------------
232 Here are some guidelines for the body of a commit message:
234 * The body of the message should describe the issue being fixed or the feature being added.
235 It is important to provide enough information to allow a reviewer to understand the purpose of the patch.
237 * When the change is obvious the body can be blank, apart from the signoff.
239 * The commit message must end with a ``Signed-off-by:`` line which is added using::
241 git commit --signoff # or -s
243 The purpose of the signoff is explained in the
244 `Developer's Certificate of Origin <https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/process/submitting-patches.html#developer-s-certificate-of-origin-1-1>`_
245 section of the Linux kernel guidelines.
249 All developers must ensure that they have read and understood the
250 Developer's Certificate of Origin section of the documentation prior
251 to applying the signoff and submitting a patch.
253 * The signoff must be a real name and not an alias or nickname.
254 More than one signoff is allowed.
256 * The text of the commit message should be wrapped at 72 characters.
258 * When fixing a regression, it is required to reference the id of the commit
259 which introduced the bug, and put the original author of that commit on CC.
260 You can generate the required lines using the following git alias, which prints
261 the commit SHA and the author of the original code::
263 git config alias.fixline "log -1 --abbrev=12 --format='Fixes: %h (\"%s\")%nCc: %ae'"
265 The output of ``git fixline <SHA>`` must then be added to the commit message::
267 doc: fix some parameter description
269 Update the docs, fixing description of some parameter.
271 Fixes: abcdefgh1234 ("doc: add some parameter")
272 Cc: author@example.com
274 Signed-off-by: Alex Smith <alex.smith@example.com>
276 * When fixing an error or warning it is useful to add the error message and instructions on how to reproduce it.
278 * Use correct capitalization, punctuation and spelling.
280 In addition to the ``Signed-off-by:`` name the commit messages can also have
281 tags for who reported, suggested, tested and reviewed the patch being
282 posted. Please refer to the `Tested, Acked and Reviewed by`_ section.
284 Patch Fix Related Issues
285 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
287 `Coverity <https://scan.coverity.com/projects/dpdk-data-plane-development-kit>`_
288 is a tool for static code analysis.
289 It is used as a cloud-based service used to scan the DPDK source code,
290 and alert developers of any potential defects in the source code.
291 When fixing an issue found by Coverity, the patch must contain a Coverity issue ID
292 in the body of the commit message. For example::
295 doc: fix some parameter description
297 Update the docs, fixing description of some parameter.
299 Coverity issue: 12345
300 Fixes: abcdefgh1234 ("doc: add some parameter")
301 Cc: author@example.com
303 Signed-off-by: Alex Smith <alex.smith@example.com>
306 `Bugzilla <https://bugs.dpdk.org>`_
307 is a bug- or issue-tracking system.
308 Bug-tracking systems allow individual or groups of developers
309 effectively to keep track of outstanding problems with their product.
310 When fixing an issue raised in Bugzilla, the patch must contain
311 a Bugzilla issue ID in the body of the commit message.
314 doc: fix some parameter description
316 Update the docs, fixing description of some parameter.
319 Fixes: abcdefgh1234 ("doc: add some parameter")
320 Cc: author@example.com
322 Signed-off-by: Alex Smith <alex.smith@example.com>
324 Patch for Stable Releases
325 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
327 All fix patches to the main branch that are candidates for backporting
328 should also be CCed to the `stable@dpdk.org <https://mails.dpdk.org/listinfo/stable>`_
330 In the commit message body the Cc: stable@dpdk.org should be inserted as follows::
332 doc: fix some parameter description
334 Update the docs, fixing description of some parameter.
336 Fixes: abcdefgh1234 ("doc: add some parameter")
339 Signed-off-by: Alex Smith <alex.smith@example.com>
341 For further information on stable contribution you can go to
342 :doc:`Stable Contribution Guide <stable>`.
347 Sometimes a patch or patchset can depend on another one.
348 To help the maintainers and automation tasks, please document this dependency in commit log or cover letter
349 with the following syntax:
351 ``Depends-on: series-NNNNN ("Title of the series")`` or ``Depends-on: patch-NNNNN ("Title of the patch")``
353 Where ``NNNNN`` is patchwork ID for patch or series::
355 doc: fix some parameter description
357 Update the docs, fixing description of some parameter.
359 Signed-off-by: Alex Smith <alex.smith@example.com>
361 Depends-on: series-10000 ("Title of the series")
366 It is possible to send patches directly from git but for new contributors it is recommended to generate the
367 patches with ``git format-patch`` and then when everything looks okay, and the patches have been checked, to
368 send them with ``git send-email``.
370 Here are some examples of using ``git format-patch`` to generate patches:
372 .. code-block:: console
374 # Generate a patch from the last commit.
377 # Generate a patch from the last 3 commits.
380 # Generate the patches in a directory.
381 git format-patch -3 -o ~/patch/
383 # Add a cover letter to explain a patchset.
384 git format-patch -3 -o ~/patch/ --cover-letter
386 # Add a prefix with a version number.
387 git format-patch -3 -o ~/patch/ -v 2
390 Cover letters are useful for explaining a patchset and help to generate a logical threading to the patches.
391 Smaller notes can be put inline in the patch after the ``---`` separator, for example::
393 Subject: [PATCH] fm10k/base: add FM10420 device ids
395 Add the device ID for Boulder Rapids and Atwood Channel to enable
396 drivers to support those devices.
398 Signed-off-by: Alex Smith <alex.smith@example.com>
403 drivers/net/fm10k/base/fm10k_api.c | 6 ++++++
404 drivers/net/fm10k/base/fm10k_type.h | 6 ++++++
405 2 files changed, 12 insertions(+)
408 Version 2 and later of a patchset should also include a short log of the changes so the reviewer knows what has changed.
409 This can be added to the cover letter or the annotations.
414 * Fixed issued with version.map.
417 * Added i40e support.
418 * Renamed ethdev functions from rte_eth_ieee15888_*() to rte_eth_timesync_*()
419 since 802.1AS can be supported through the same interfaces.
422 .. _contrib_checkpatch:
427 Patches should be checked for formatting and syntax issues using the ``checkpatches.sh`` script in the ``devtools``
428 directory of the DPDK repo.
429 This uses the Linux kernel development tool ``checkpatch.pl`` which can be obtained by cloning, and periodically,
430 updating the Linux kernel sources.
432 The path to the original Linux script must be set in the environment variable ``DPDK_CHECKPATCH_PATH``.
434 Spell checking of commonly misspelled words is enabled
435 by default if installed in ``/usr/share/codespell/dictionary.txt``.
436 A different dictionary path can be specified
437 in the environment variable ``DPDK_CHECKPATCH_CODESPELL``.
439 There is a DPDK script to build an adjusted dictionary
440 from the multiple codespell dictionaries::
442 git clone https://github.com/codespell-project/codespell.git
443 devtools/build-dict.sh codespell/ > codespell-dpdk.txt
445 Environment variables required by the development tools,
446 are loaded from the following files, in order of preference::
449 ~/.config/dpdk/devel.config
450 /etc/dpdk/devel.config.
452 Once the environment variable is set, the script can be run as follows::
454 devtools/checkpatches.sh ~/patch/
456 The script usage is::
458 checkpatches.sh [-h] [-q] [-v] [-nX|-r range|patch1 [patch2] ...]
460 Then the git logs should be checked using the ``check-git-log.sh`` script.
462 The script usage is::
464 check-git-log.sh [-h] [-nX|-r range]
466 For both of the above scripts, the -n option is used to specify a number of commits from HEAD,
467 and the -r option allows the user specify a ``git log`` range.
469 .. _contrib_check_compilation:
474 Compilation of patches is to be tested with ``devtools/test-meson-builds.sh`` script.
476 The script internally checks for dependencies, then builds for several
477 combinations of compilation configuration.
478 By default, each build will be put in a subfolder of the current working directory.
479 However, if it is preferred to place the builds in a different location,
480 the environment variable ``DPDK_BUILD_TEST_DIR`` can be set to that desired location.
481 For example, setting ``DPDK_BUILD_TEST_DIR=__builds`` will put all builds
482 in a single subfolder called "__builds" created in the current directory.
483 Setting ``DPDK_BUILD_TEST_DIR`` to an absolute directory path e.g. ``/tmp`` is also supported.
486 .. _integrated_abi_check:
488 Checking ABI compatibility
489 --------------------------
491 By default, ABI compatibility checks are disabled.
493 To enable them, a reference version must be selected via the environment
494 variable ``DPDK_ABI_REF_VERSION``. Contributors should ordinarily reference the
495 git tag of the most recent release of DPDK in ``DPDK_ABI_REF_VERSION``.
497 The ``devtools/test-meson-builds.sh`` script then build this reference version
498 in a temporary directory and store the results in a subfolder of the current
500 The environment variable ``DPDK_ABI_REF_DIR`` can be set so that the results go
501 to a different location.
505 DPDK_ABI_REF_VERSION=v19.11 DPDK_ABI_REF_DIR=/tmp ./devtools/test-meson-builds.sh
511 Patches should be sent to the mailing list using ``git send-email``.
512 You can configure an external SMTP with something like the following::
515 smtpuser = name@domain.com
516 smtpserver = smtp.domain.com
520 See the `Git send-email <https://git-scm.com/docs/git-send-email>`_ documentation for more details.
522 The patches should be sent to ``dev@dpdk.org``.
523 If the patches are a change to existing files then you should send them TO the maintainer(s) and CC ``dev@dpdk.org``.
524 The appropriate maintainer can be found in the ``MAINTAINERS`` file::
526 git send-email --to maintainer@some.org --cc dev@dpdk.org 000*.patch
528 Script ``get-maintainer.sh`` can be used to select maintainers automatically::
530 git send-email --to-cmd ./devtools/get-maintainer.sh --cc dev@dpdk.org 000*.patch
532 New additions can be sent without a maintainer::
534 git send-email --to dev@dpdk.org 000*.patch
536 You can test the emails by sending it to yourself or with the ``--dry-run`` option.
538 If the patch is in relation to a previous email thread you can add it to the same thread using the Message ID::
540 git send-email --to dev@dpdk.org --in-reply-to <1234-foo@bar.com> 000*.patch
542 The Message ID can be found in the raw text of emails or at the top of each Patchwork patch,
543 `for example <https://patches.dpdk.org/patch/7646/>`_.
544 Shallow threading (``--thread --no-chain-reply-to``) is preferred for a patch series.
546 Once submitted your patches will appear on the mailing list and in Patchwork.
548 Experienced committers may send patches directly with ``git send-email`` without the ``git format-patch`` step.
549 The options ``--annotate`` and ``confirm = always`` are recommended for checking patches before sending.
552 Backporting patches for Stable Releases
553 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
555 Sometimes a maintainer or contributor wishes, or can be asked, to send a patch
556 for a stable release rather than mainline.
557 In this case the patch(es) should be sent to ``stable@dpdk.org``,
558 not to ``dev@dpdk.org``.
560 Given that there are multiple stable releases being maintained at the same time,
561 please specify exactly which branch(es) the patch is for
562 using ``git send-email --subject-prefix='PATCH 16.11' ...``
563 and also optionally in the cover letter or in the annotation.
569 Patches are reviewed by the community, relying on the experience and
570 collaboration of the members to double-check each other's work. There are a
571 number of ways to indicate that you have checked a patch on the mailing list.
574 Tested, Acked and Reviewed by
575 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
577 To indicate that you have interacted with a patch on the mailing list you
578 should respond to the patch in an email with one of the following tags:
586 The tag should be on a separate line as follows::
588 tag-here: Name Surname <email@address.com>
590 Each of these tags has a specific meaning. In general, the DPDK community
591 follows the kernel usage of the tags. A short summary of the meanings of each
592 tag is given here for reference:
594 .. _statement: https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/process/submitting-patches.html#reviewer-s-statement-of-oversight
596 ``Reviewed-by:`` is a strong statement_ that the patch is an appropriate state
597 for merging without any remaining serious technical issues. Reviews from
598 community members who are known to understand the subject area and to perform
599 thorough reviews will increase the likelihood of the patch getting merged.
601 ``Acked-by:`` is a record that the person named was not directly involved in
602 the preparation of the patch but wishes to signify and record their acceptance
605 ``Tested-by:`` indicates that the patch has been successfully tested (in some
606 environment) by the person named.
608 ``Reported-by:`` is used to acknowledge person who found or reported the bug.
610 ``Suggested-by:`` indicates that the patch idea was suggested by the named
615 Steps to getting your patch merged
616 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
618 The more work you put into the previous steps the easier it will be to get a
619 patch accepted. The general cycle for patch review and acceptance is:
623 #. Check the automatic test reports in the coming hours.
625 #. Wait for review comments. While you are waiting review some other patches.
627 #. Fix the review comments and submit a ``v n+1`` patchset::
629 git format-patch -3 -v 2
631 #. Update Patchwork to mark your previous patches as "Superseded".
633 #. If the patch is deemed suitable for merging by the relevant maintainer(s) or other developers they will ``ack``
634 the patch with an email that includes something like::
636 Acked-by: Alex Smith <alex.smith@example.com>
638 **Note**: When acking patches please remove as much of the text of the patch email as possible.
639 It is generally best to delete everything after the ``Signed-off-by:`` line.
641 #. Having the patch ``Reviewed-by:`` and/or ``Tested-by:`` will also help the patch to be accepted.
643 #. If the patch isn't deemed suitable based on being out of scope or conflicting with existing functionality
644 it may receive a ``nack``.
645 In this case you will need to make a more convincing technical argument in favor of your patches.
647 #. In addition a patch will not be accepted if it doesn't address comments from a previous version with fixes or
650 #. It is the responsibility of a maintainer to ensure that patches are reviewed and to provide an ``ack`` or
651 ``nack`` of those patches as appropriate.
653 #. Once a patch has been acked by the relevant maintainer, reviewers may still comment on it for a further
654 two weeks. After that time, the patch should be merged into the relevant git tree for the next release.
655 Additional notes and restrictions:
657 * Patches should be acked by a maintainer at least two days before the release merge
658 deadline, in order to make that release.
659 * For patches acked with less than two weeks to go to the merge deadline, all additional
660 comments should be made no later than two days before the merge deadline.
661 * After the appropriate time for additional feedback has passed, if the patch has not yet
662 been merged to the relevant tree by the committer, it should be treated as though it had,
663 in that any additional changes needed to it must be addressed by a follow-on patch, rather
664 than rework of the original.
665 * Trivial patches may be merged sooner than described above at the tree committer's
669 Milestones definition
670 ---------------------
672 Each DPDK release has milestones that help everyone to converge to the release date.
673 The following is a list of these milestones together with
674 concrete definitions and expectations for a typical release cycle.
675 An average cycle lasts 3 months and have 4 release candidates in the last month.
676 Test reports are expected to be received after each release candidate.
677 The number and expectations of release candidates might vary slightly.
678 The schedule is updated in the `roadmap <https://core.dpdk.org/roadmap/#dates>`_.
681 Sooner is always better. Deadlines are not ideal dates.
683 Integration is never guaranteed but everyone can help.
688 * Announce new features in libraries, drivers, applications, and examples.
689 * To be published before the previous release.
694 * Must send an RFC (Request For Comments) or a complete patch of new features.
695 * Early RFC gives time for design review before complete implementation.
696 * Should include at least the API changes in libraries and applications.
697 * Library code should be quite complete at the deadline.
698 * Nice to have: driver implementation, example code, and documentation.
703 * Priority: libraries. No library feature should be accepted after -rc1.
704 * API changes or additions must be implemented in libraries.
705 * The API must include Doxygen documentation
706 and be part of the relevant .rst files (library-specific and release notes).
707 * API should be used in a test application (``/app``).
708 * At least one PMD should implement the API.
709 It may be a draft sent in a separate series.
710 * The above should be sent to the mailing list at least 2 weeks before -rc1
711 to give time for review and maintainers approval.
712 * If no review after 10 days, a reminder should be sent.
713 * Nice to have: example code (``/examples``)
718 * Priority: drivers. No driver feature should be accepted after -rc2.
719 * A driver change must include documentation
720 in the relevant .rst files (driver-specific and release notes).
721 * Driver changes should be sent to the mailing list before -rc1 is released.
726 * Priority: applications. No application feature should be accepted after -rc3.
727 * New functionality that does not depend on libraries update
728 can be integrated as part of -rc3.
729 * The application change must include documentation in the relevant .rst files
730 (application-specific and release notes if significant).
731 * Libraries and drivers cleanup are allowed.
732 * Small driver reworks.
737 * Documentation updates.
738 * Critical bug fixes only.
741 Bug fixes are integrated as early as possible at any stage.