Changesets: Incorrect Package Versioning Issues
We've encountered some significant issues with changeset versioning within the TanStack repositories. Specifically, we've identified three instances where the versioning process has produced unexpected results, including an unintended major release. This situation has made us hesitant to proceed with merging changes. Despite careful review, there doesn't appear to be any discernible pattern differentiating the changesets that function correctly from those that do not. We're hoping to get some insights into what might be causing these issues.
Instance 1: Incorrect Versioning in TanStack Form
Commit: https://github.com/TanStack/form/commit/89c4f24fb473560ed3c2404dbffe8dbf84197cd9
In this commit, the changes are isolated to the solid-form adapter. The corresponding changeset correctly specifies a minor release for the solid-form adapter. However, when changeset version is executed, it erroneously generates a minor release for form-core, despite this package not being directly impacted by the changeset. Furthermore, this unintended release of form-core includes an empty changelog, indicating that no actual changes were included. This behavior is unexpected and suggests an issue with how changesets are being applied across package dependencies.
This issue is particularly concerning because it affects not only form-core but also all packages that depend on it. This cascading effect could potentially lead to widespread version inconsistencies and confusion within the TanStack ecosystem. The image below illustrates the unexpected version bump for form-core:
To ensure stable releases and prevent further disruptions, a thorough examination of the changeset versioning process is crucial. This includes identifying the root cause of the issue and implementing corrective measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. A detailed analysis of the changeset configuration, dependency relationships, and the versioning logic itself is necessary to pinpoint the source of the problem and restore confidence in the release process.
Instance 2: Major Version Bump in TanStack Query (Commit 1)
Commit: https://github.com/TanStack/query/commit/b2bd79d0a6b2707461897c426b0d2275a3318e4b
This commit focuses on modifications within the vue-query adapter. The associated changeset correctly designates a minor release for the vue-query adapter, aligning with the nature of the changes made. The anticipated behavior would be a patch release for packages dependent on vue-query, specifically vue-query-devtools. However, upon running changeset version, an unexpected major version bump is triggered for vue-query-devtools. This discrepancy is particularly perplexing as the changelog generated even indicates that the change should be a patch, further highlighting the inconsistency in the versioning process.
The implications of a major version bump when a patch was intended are significant. Major releases often introduce breaking changes, requiring users to update their code and potentially leading to compatibility issues. In this scenario, users of vue-query-devtools might be unnecessarily subjected to these complexities despite the changes being minor in nature. Therefore, understanding why this major version bump occurred is critical to ensuring the stability and usability of the TanStack Query library.
Investigating the dependency graph and how changesets are propagated through it is essential. It's possible that there's an issue in how changesets are interpreting the relationships between packages, leading to incorrect versioning decisions. A thorough review of the changeset configuration and the versioning algorithm is necessary to identify and resolve this issue.
Instance 3: Major Version Bump in TanStack Query (Commit 2)
Commit: https://github.com/TanStack/query/commit/758414fcecb9b56142014edf3ff455c283fb556e
This commit presents another instance of unexpected versioning behavior within the TanStack Query repository. Similar to the previous case, this commit includes a minor changeset for vue-query. However, running changeset version once again attempts to bump vue-query-devtools to a major version, despite the changeset specifying a minor change. This recurring issue reinforces the concern that there's a systematic problem with how changesets are being applied in this project.
The consistency of this error across multiple commits suggests a deeper underlying issue, potentially related to the changeset configuration or the versioning logic itself. This warrants a comprehensive investigation to identify the root cause and implement a robust solution. Ignoring this issue could lead to further incorrect versioning, creating confusion for users and potentially disrupting the stability of applications relying on TanStack Query.
To address this, a systematic review of the changeset configuration, dependency relationships, and versioning algorithms is necessary. This review should involve a detailed analysis of how changesets are generated, applied, and propagated through the package ecosystem. It's also crucial to ensure that the versioning process aligns with semantic versioning principles, where major releases indicate breaking changes and minor releases introduce new features or enhancements without breaking compatibility.
Conclusion: Addressing Changesets Versioning Issues
These instances of incorrect package versioning within the TanStack repositories highlight a critical need for a thorough review and rectification of the changeset versioning process. The discrepancies observed, including unintended major releases and incorrect changelog generation, pose a significant risk to the stability and reliability of the TanStack libraries. Addressing these issues is essential to maintain user confidence and prevent disruptions in applications relying on these packages.
A comprehensive investigation should focus on several key areas, including the changeset configuration, dependency relationships between packages, and the versioning logic itself. It's crucial to ensure that changesets are correctly applied and propagated through the package ecosystem, and that version bumps align with semantic versioning principles. Furthermore, the review should identify any potential flaws in the versioning algorithm or configuration that might contribute to the observed errors.
By addressing these issues proactively, the TanStack team can ensure that future releases are versioned accurately and consistently, fostering trust among users and promoting the long-term health of the ecosystem. This will involve not only correcting the immediate problems but also implementing measures to prevent similar issues from arising in the future. This proactive approach is crucial for maintaining the quality and reliability of TanStack libraries and ensuring their continued success.
For more information on semantic versioning and best practices, consider exploring resources like the official semver.org website.
