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evaluate dependency API compatibility

docker/compose
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Before adding or updating dependencies, thoroughly evaluate API compatibility and understand the implications of using forks versus upstream versions. This prevents recurring dependency issues and ensures long-term maintainability.

API Other

Reviewer Prompt

Before adding or updating dependencies, thoroughly evaluate API compatibility and understand the implications of using forks versus upstream versions. This prevents recurring dependency issues and ensures long-term maintainability.

Key evaluation steps:

  1. Identify API differences: Document what patches or changes exist in forked dependencies compared to upstream
  2. Assess upstream status: Check if fork-specific changes have been upstreamed or rejected, and understand the reasoning
  3. Avoid duplicate dependencies: Prevent having multiple forks of the same dependency in your dependency tree
  4. Plan migration path: For necessary forks, establish a clear path to contribute changes upstream or migrate to upstream versions

Example from dependency analysis:

// Before adding:
require github.com/tilt-dev/fsnotify v1.4.8-0.20220602155310-fff9c274a375

// Evaluate: What API differences exist?
// - SetRecursive method not in upstream
// - Windows-specific patches upstreamed but not released
// - Consider pinning to upstream commit hash as interim solution

This approach helps avoid situations where dependencies cause recurring problems or create maintenance burdens due to API incompatibilities.

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Other
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API
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