The Problem with Current Schema

Oct 13, 2025 by pinkandtrash.com 82 views

Introduction

In the world of software development, incremental builds have become an essential aspect of the development process. These builds allow developers to test and deploy new features or updates without having to wait for a full release. However, the current schema for NuGet packages does not fully support incremental builds, making it difficult for developers to host and manage these builds alongside their main releases. In this article, we will explore the need for extending the schema to support incremental builds and discuss the proposed changes to the NuGet package format.

The Problem with Current Schema

The current NuGet package format does not have a built-in mechanism to indicate that a package is an incremental build. This makes it challenging for developers to distinguish between incremental builds and main releases. As a result, developers often rely on additional NuGet feeds to host their incremental builds, which can lead to issues with package source mapping.

Proposed Solution: IncrementalBuild Attribute

To address this issue, we propose introducing a new attribute called IncrementalBuild to the NuGet package format. This attribute would have a default value of false and would be used to indicate that a package is an incremental build. When used in conjunction with a preview version, the IncrementalBuild attribute would signify that the package is an unstable incremental build.

Benefits of IncrementalBuild Attribute

The introduction of the IncrementalBuild attribute would bring several benefits to developers and the NuGet ecosystem as a whole. Some of the key benefits include:

Simplified package management: With the IncrementalBuild attribute, developers would no longer need to rely on additional NuGet feeds to host their incremental builds. This would simplify package management and reduce the complexity of the development process.
Improved package source mapping: The IncrementalBuild attribute would enable better package source mapping, making it easier for developers to track the origin of their packages and dependencies.
Enhanced transparency: By indicating that a package is an incremental build, developers would be providing more transparency about the package's stability and suitability for production use.

Indicating Incremental Builds on NuGet.org

In addition to introducing the IncrementalBuild attribute, we also propose indicating incremental builds on NuGet.org in a similar manner to deprecated packages. This would provide a clear visual indication to developers that a package is an incremental build and should be used with caution.

Limiting Incremental Builds on NuGet.org

To prevent abuse and ensure that incremental builds are used responsibly, we propose limiting the number of incremental builds hosted on NuGet.org based on the major + minor version as well as age. This would prevent developers from hosting an excessive number of incremental builds and would help maintain the quality and stability of the NuGet ecosystem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, extending the schema to support incremental builds is a crucial step in simplifying the lives of developers and improving the overall quality of the NuGet ecosystem. By introducing the IncrementalBuild attribute and indicating incremental builds on NuGet.org, we can provide developers with a more transparent and manageable way to host and manage their incremental builds. We believe that these proposed changes would have a significant impact on the development process and would help to improve the overall quality and stability of software development.

Future Work

While this proposal addresses the need for incremental builds, there are several areas that require further exploration and discussion. Some of the key areas that require further work include:

Defining the scope of incremental builds: As incremental builds become more prevalent, it is essential to define the scope of what constitutes an incremental build. This would help to ensure that developers understand the implications of using incremental builds and would provide a clear framework for managing these builds.
Developing guidelines for incremental builds: To ensure that incremental builds are used responsibly, it is essential to develop guidelines for their use. This would provide developers with a clear understanding of the best practices for using incremental builds and would help to maintain the quality and stability of the NuGet ecosystem.
Exploring alternative solutions: While the IncrementalBuild attribute is a proposed solution, it is essential to explore alternative solutions that could address the need for incremental builds. This would provide developers with a range of options for managing their incremental builds and would help to ensure that the NuGet ecosystem remains flexible and adaptable.

References

NuGet Package Format
NuGet Package Source Mapping
Incremental Builds in Software Development
Frequently Asked Questions: Extending Schema to Support Incremental Builds ====================================================================

Q: What is the purpose of extending the schema to support incremental builds?

A: The purpose of extending the schema to support incremental builds is to simplify the lives of developers and improve the overall quality of the NuGet ecosystem. By introducing the IncrementalBuild attribute and indicating incremental builds on NuGet.org, we can provide developers with a more transparent and manageable way to host and manage their incremental builds.

Q: What is the `IncrementalBuild` attribute and how does it work?

A: The IncrementalBuild attribute is a new attribute that will be introduced to the NuGet package format. It will have a default value of false and will be used to indicate that a package is an incremental build. When used in conjunction with a preview version, the IncrementalBuild attribute will signify that the package is an unstable incremental build.

Q: How will incremental builds be indicated on NuGet.org?

A: Incremental builds will be indicated on NuGet.org in a similar manner to deprecated packages. This will provide a clear visual indication to developers that a package is an incremental build and should be used with caution.

Q: Why is it necessary to limit the number of incremental builds hosted on NuGet.org?

A: It is necessary to limit the number of incremental builds hosted on NuGet.org to prevent abuse and ensure that incremental builds are used responsibly. By limiting the number of incremental builds based on the major + minor version as well as age, we can prevent developers from hosting an excessive number of incremental builds and maintain the quality and stability of the NuGet ecosystem.

Q: How will the `IncrementalBuild` attribute affect package source mapping?

A: The IncrementalBuild attribute will enable better package source mapping, making it easier for developers to track the origin of their packages and dependencies. This will provide a more transparent and manageable way to manage packages and dependencies.

Q: What are the benefits of using incremental builds?

A: The benefits of using incremental builds include:

Simplified package management
Improved package source mapping
Enhanced transparency
Reduced complexity of the development process

Q: What are the potential drawbacks of using incremental builds?

A: The potential drawbacks of using incremental builds include:

Unstable builds may cause issues in production
Incremental builds may not be suitable for all use cases
Developers may need to be more careful when using incremental builds

Q: How can developers ensure that they are using incremental builds responsibly?

A: Developers can ensure that they are using incremental builds responsibly by:

Using incremental builds only when necessary
Testing incremental builds thoroughly before deploying them
Providing clear documentation and warnings about the use of incremental builds
Following best practices for incremental builds

Q: What is the next step in extending the schema to support incremental builds?

A: The next step in extending the schema to support incremental builds is to develop guidelines for the use of incremental builds and to explore alternative solutions that could address the need for incremental builds. This will provide developers with a range of options for managing their incremental builds and will help to ensure that the NuGet ecosystem remains flexible and adaptable.

Q: How can developers provide feedback on the proposed changes to the schema?

A: Developers can provide feedback on the proposed changes to the schema by:

Submitting comments and suggestions through the NuGet forums
Participating in discussions and meetings with the NuGet team
Providing feedback through surveys and other feedback mechanisms

Q: What is the expected timeline for implementing the proposed changes to the schema?

A: The expected timeline for implementing the proposed changes to the schema is currently unknown. However, the NuGet team is working to implement the changes as soon as possible and will provide updates and notifications to developers as the process unfolds.