Vendor Branching vs Package Manager

Developers should use vendor branching when working with external dependencies that require frequent updates or custom modifications, such as open-source libraries or proprietary SDKs meets developers should use package managers to streamline dependency management, reduce manual installation errors, and ensure project reproducibility across different environments. Here's our take.

Vendor Branching

Nice Pick

Developers should use vendor branching when working with external dependencies that require frequent updates or custom modifications, such as open-source libraries or proprietary SDKs

Pros

• It is particularly useful in large projects where maintaining compatibility with vendor changes is critical, enabling teams to test and integrate updates in a controlled manner without disrupting the main codebase
• Related to: version-control, git-branching

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Package Manager

Developers should use package managers to streamline dependency management, reduce manual installation errors, and ensure project reproducibility across different environments

Pros

• They are crucial for handling complex dependencies in web development (e
• Related to: npm, yarn

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Vendor Branching is a methodology while Package Manager is a tool. We picked Vendor Branching based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Vendor Branching wins

Based on overall popularity. Vendor Branching is more widely used, but Package Manager excels in its own space.