Vendor Branching
Vendor branching is a version control strategy used in software development to manage third-party dependencies, such as libraries or frameworks, within a codebase. It involves creating a dedicated branch in the repository to track and integrate updates from an external vendor's source, allowing teams to apply custom patches or modifications while maintaining the ability to merge new vendor releases. This approach helps isolate vendor code from the main development branch, reducing conflicts and ensuring stability.
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. 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. This methodology also facilitates auditing and rollback of vendor changes if issues arise.