Implement branch merging restrictions by using branch policies and branch protections

Branch merging restrictions are an essential aspect of implementing a successful DevOps workflow. By using branch policies and branch protections, development teams can ensure that code merges into the master branch are of high quality and meet the necessary criteria. In this article, we will explore how to implement branch merging restrictions using these features in Microsoft DevOps Solutions.

Branch Policies:

Branch policies allow development teams to define rules and conditions that need to be met before merging code into a specific branch. These policies act as a safety net, preventing low-quality code or unreviewed changes from being merged into critical branches like the master branch. Let’s take a look at some of the commonly used branch policies.

1. Code Review:

   Code reviews play a crucial role in ensuring code quality and promoting collaboration among team members. With the code review policy, developers can specify that all changes must go through a review process before they can be merged. This policy is often associated with pull requests, where team members can provide feedback and approve or reject the proposed changes.

   To enable this policy, navigate to the Branches section in your repository settings. Select the desired branch, such as the master branch, and enable the code review policy. Specify the minimum number of reviewers required and whether they should approve changes before merging.

2. Build Validation:

   Build validation policies ensure that code being merged into a branch passes certain build and test criteria. By defining build pipelines, which include compilation, testing, and other automated tasks, developers can ensure that the code meets the expected standards. The build validation policy prevents code with build errors or failing tests from being merged.

   To configure this policy, go to the branch’s settings and enable build validation. Select the appropriate pipeline that needs to be executed before merging. If the build or tests fail, the system prevents the merge until the issues are fixed.

Branch Protections:

While branch policies focus on defining rules for code merging, branch protections provide additional safeguards to prevent accidental or unauthorized changes. These protections ensure that only authorized individuals can modify critical branches and that specific safety measures are in place. Let’s explore some common branch protections.

1. Required Checks:

   With required checks, you can enforce that specific validation steps must pass before a pull request can be merged. These checks could include code reviews, builds, tests, or any other custom checks defined within the pipelines.

   To enable required checks, navigate to the branch’s settings and select the “Branch protection rules” section. Add a new rule, specify the required checks, and set the required status checks before merging. This ensures that all the necessary validations are completed successfully before allowing the merge.
2. Force Push Protection:

   Force pushing allows overwriting history in a branch, which can lead to data loss or unintended changes. By enabling force push protection, you can prevent accidental or unauthorized force pushes to critical branches like the master branch.

   To enable force push protection, go to the branch’s settings and add a new rule in the “Branch protection rules” section. Enable the “Prevent force push” option to restrict force pushing, ensuring that branch history remains intact.

By combining branch policies and branch protections, development teams can implement robust branch merging restrictions, promoting code quality, collaboration, and ensuring the stability of critical branches. It is important to tailor these restrictions to the specific needs and policies of your organization.

Remember, effective branch merging restrictions are crucial for successful DevOps implementations. By implementing these features in Microsoft DevOps Solutions, you can create a well-defined workflow that fosters collaboration, quality, and stability in your software development lifecycle.