Apache NetBeans is released quarterly according to the following schedule.
| Date | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 15th | Feature freeze for next release. | |||||
| February 7th - 15th | Voting candidate created and release vote commences. | |||||
| February 15th - 28th/29th | Apache NetBeans release. | NetBeans 12.3 | NetBeans 13 | NetBeans 17 | ||
| April 15th | Feature freeze for next release. | |||||
| May 7th - 15th | Voting candidate created and release vote commences. | |||||
| May 15th - 31st | Apache NetBeans release. | NetBeans 12.0 | NetBeans 12.4 | NetBeans 14 | NetBeans 18 | NetBeans 22 |
| July 15th | Feature freeze for next release. | |||||
| August 7th - 15th | Voting candidate created and release vote commences. | |||||
| August 15th - 31st | Apache NetBeans release. | NetBeans 12.1 | NetBeans 12.5 | NetBeans 15 | NetBeans 19 | NetBeans 23 |
| October 15th | Feature freeze for next release. | |||||
| November 7th - 15th | Voting candidate created and release vote commences. | |||||
| November 15th - 30th | Apache NetBeans release. | NetBeans 12.2 | NetBeans 12.6 | NetBeans 16 | NetBeans 20 | NetBeans 24 |
Key points
- Four releases a year on known dates (within reason, weekends, blockers, etc.).
- Each release has a fixed and well known feature-freeze date. Features may be targeted for releases, but no promises are made of features being included unless they have been merged to master by that date.
- Everything merged to master at all times prior to feature freeze is intended and ready to be included in the next scheduled release. Keep master releasable!
- Merging earlier rather than later in the merge window is to be encouraged!
- After the feature freeze date, fixes intended for the release should be merged to delivery until the next feature window opens. The delivery branch will be merged to both master and release branches on a weekly schedule.
- All fixes merged to delivery after the feature-freeze date should be assessed and reviewed in accordance with the Bug Priority Guidelines
History
In 2019 there was a decision to move towards a time-based, quarterly release schedule for Apache NetBeans releases. This started from Apache NetBeans 11.1, and retrospectively designated Apache NetBeans 11.0 as an LTS release.
At the end of 2019 the schedule was shifted back by one month, to avoid the end of year period. At the end of 2020, master freezing was replaced by a move to a delivery and release branch mechanism.
In early 2021, a decision was made to review the process and requirements for LTS releases, and in October 2021 a decision was made to concentrate solely on quarterly releases, changing the numbering scheme accordingly. No further LTS release will be made.
Further details, notes, and discussions : Notes and Discussions on the Release Schedule