Feature Flags vs Branching
by Vitor Amaral
Feature branching allows developers to effectively collaborate around a central code base by keeping all changes to a specific feature in its own branch. With the addition of feature flags, feature branching becomes even more powerful and faster by separating feature release management from code deployment.
Feature flagging allows developers to take full control of their feature lifecycles without depending on code deployments. When you merge a feature branch into master (production), it is already wrapped in a feature flag. This allows you to deploy the feature “off” and then gradually roll it out to users. It also allows you to quickly “kill” the feature if it is not working well, without having to redeploy.
Therefore, feature flagging does not replace branching, it is complementary and makes it more powerful. Feature branching provides the flexibility to decide when and what to release, while feature flagging lets you take full control of the release itself. Together, branching and flagging help you maintain and integrate short-lived branches faster and with less risk.
This allows many small incremental versions of software to be delivered without the cost of constant branching and merging.
What is UpStamps?
UpStamps is a Feature Flag Management Platform to separate code from different environments and projects.
UpStamps helps teams manage their projects using feature management with a Central control to progressively deliver features to users with confidence.
🛳 Ship when you're ready
🚀 Accelerate feature release
🙈 Hide unfinished features
Useful links about UpStamps:
