Development Branch

When dealing with significant structural updates, you might prefer not to expose partial changes to end users until a project is complete. To address this, we’ve introduced the Development Branch.

The primary goal is to keep changes hidden from end users until your work is finished. The branch serves as a copy of the original database, sharing the same underlying data. You can make (almost) any changes within the branch. Once your work is complete, you have the option to promote these changes to the original database. If you choose not to promote the changes, the development branch can be deleted. To delete the development branch, log in to it and follow the simple steps outlined here.

Please note that TeamDesk does not combine changes. You can either accept all changes from the development branch, overwriting changes in the original database, or you can maintain the original database unchanged. A single development branch can be linked to a database at any given time. If you need to create a new development branch, you must either delete or promote the existing one.

To enable the Development Branch, navigate to Setup > Database > Create development branch link.

Afterward, make sure to read the provided instructions before proceeding with the creation of the development branch.

If the Disable all Users option is set in the Add users field, only you will have access to the development branch, and only you can promote it.

If necessary, you can add users to this development branch. Simply select the Enable selected user(s) option and choose the users. The added users will be able to make changes and promote the development branch.

Click the Create Development Branch button, and the development branch will be initialized.

When the DEV red banner is displayed next to the database name, it indicates that you are working within the Development Branch.

As previously mentioned, the branch and the original database share the same underlying data. The primary advantage is that you can implement changes within the branch while other users continue working in the original database. You can make adjustments within the development branch for as long as needed. Once your work is completed, you can promote the changes to the original database. However, please note that TeamDesk does not combine changes. You can either accept all changes from the development branch, overwriting changes in the original database, or you can maintain the original database without modifications.

To promote changes, navigate to Setup > Database > Promote development branch link.

Please be aware that data sharing entails certain restrictions. You won’t be able to modify the uniqueness or requiredness of columns in shared tables (though these restrictions won’t apply to new tables). The system will also disable periodic and time-dependent triggers and notifications on shared tables within a development branch and re-enable them when changes are promoted.

Clicking the Promote Development Branch button replaces the original database with the development branch. Consequently, all changes are implemented, and all database users will operate within this updated database.

If you choose not to promote the changes, you can simply delete the Development Branch. Doing so will leave the original database unchanged.