[TYPO3-core] Update git submodules (automatically) in core git repository?

[Ernesto Baschny [cron IT]]

Roland schrieb am 22.06.2012 06:44:
> hi everybody,
> 
> as far as i understand, the core git submodules are not the very current
> ones unless you checkout master in every /typo3/sysext/nameOfTheSubmodule/?
> 
> how (ofter) is this updated for the core git repository so that if you do a
> git fetch -- all you really have the very current status of every part of
> the core - also the submodules? could we make this an automated process?

The submodule's pointers are updated shortly before a release of TYPO3
Core after receiving confirmation from the upstream submodule team that
their improvements are ready to package (i.e. md5sum updated in
ext_emconf.php, etc).

The packaging script (automated) will then update the pointer when
building the TYPO3 package.

Having it done automatically on every commit to the submodule would end
up with tons of "rised submodule pointer" in our ChangeLog.

You cannot work on a "detached head" anyway (which is the state of the
submodules after a submodule update), so if you want to work on them you
will have to checkout a branch anyway.

The "submodule update" in the superproject will always try to reset to
this detached head state:

- if you have committed stuff already, you'll have to switch back to
this branch afterwards again
- if you have uncommitted stuff, "submodule update" won't checkout the
detached head

Unfortunately the submodule branch names are not easy (the version
numbers differ from TYPO3 Core Version). Starting with 4.7 the branch
names are in sync with the TYPO3 version, so "dbal_4-7" is the latest
development for TYPO3_4-7 etc.

Cheers,
Ernesto