Corporate best practices for upstream open source contributions
This post is based on presentation given at the Validos annual members’ meeting on June 25th, 2025.
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15 pages
Developer Productivity
Creating Debian packages from upstream Git
In this post, I demonstrate the optimal workflow for creating new Debian packages in 2025, preserving the upstream git history. The motivation for this is to lower the barrier for sharing improvements to and from upstream, and to improve software provenance and supply-chain security by making it easy to inspect every change at any level using standard git tooling. Key elements of this workflow include: Using a Git fork/clone of the upstream repository as the starting point for creating Debian packaging repositories. Consistent use of the same git-buildpackage commands, with all package-specific options in gbp.conf. DEP-14 tag and branch names for an optimal Git packaging repository structure. Pristine-tar and upstream signatures for supply-chain security. Use of Files-Excluded in the debian/copyright file to filter out unwanted files in Debian. Patch queues to easily rebase and cherry-pick changes across Debian and upstream branches. Efficient use of Salsa, Debian’s GitLab instance, for both automated feedback from CI systems and human feedback from peer reviews. To make the instructions so concrete that anyone can repeat all the steps themselves on a real package, I demonstrate the steps by packaging the command-line tool Entr. It is written in C, has very few dependencies, and its final Debian source package structure is simple, yet exemplifies all the important parts that go into a complete Debian package:
10 habits to help becoming a Debian Maintainer
Becoming a Debian maintainer is a journey that combines technical expertise, community collaboration, and continuous learning. In this post, I’ll share 10 key habits that will both help you navigate the complexities of Debian packaging without getting lost, and also enable you to contribute more effectively to one of the world’s largest open source projects.
Communication Is the Key to Efficiency in a Software Engineering Organization
For a software engineering organization to be efficient, it is key that everyone is an efficient communicator. Everybody needs to be calibrated in what to communicate, to whom and how to ensure information spreads properly in the organization. Having smart people with a lot of knowledge results in progress only if information flows well in the veins of the organization.
8 Writing Tips for Software Professionals
People usually associate advanced software engineering with gray-bearded experts with vast knowledge of how computers and things like compiler internals work. However, having technical knowledge is just the base requirement to work in the field. In my experience, the greatest minds in the field are not just experts in knowledge, but also extremely efficient communicators, particularly in writing.
Tab-tastic tips for streamlined web browser use
What is the single most common action you repeat over and over when using your computer? Let me guess – opening a new tab in the browser. Here are my tips for opening, switching and closing tabs everyone should know.
Advanced git commands every senior software developer needs to know
Git is by far the most popular software version control system today, and every software developer surely knows the basics of how to make a git commit. Given the popularity, it is surprising how many people don’t actually know the advanced commands. Mastering them might help you unlock a new level of productivity. Let’s dive in!
How to conduct an effective code review
In software development, the code review process stands as a crucial checkpoint for ensuring code quality, fostering collaboration, and promoting knowledge sharing among team members. Despite the importance, many engineers lack a clear mental map of how effective reviews work. This is my attempt to help code reviews and reviewers improve.
My 5 tips for efficient meetings
While large organisations scale best by emphasizing asynchronous communications, in-person or video meetings also have their place. As a manager who is involved in a lot of planning and coordination work I’ve noticed that I’ve spent the majority of my working time in meetings in past years. These are my 5 tips to make meetings as efficient as possible.
Pulsar, the best code editor
The key to being productive as a programmer is to have a great code editor. I have been an avid user of Atom since 2014, and its successor Pulsar since now in 2023.
Unpacking Linux containers: understanding Docker and its alternatives
In popularizing Linux containers, Docker brought about a new era of systems design based on these lightweight platforms, rather than heavy virtual machines. However, now that Docker is slowly declining, it’s time to learn about the next generation of Linux container tools.
The optimal home office
The perfect home office setup achieves two things: it helps you stay focused for extended periods, allowing you to be in “the flow” and it prioritizes ergonomic design to ensure that long hours at the computer don’t compromise your health.
Quick builds and rebuilds of MariaDB using Docker
The MariaDB server has over 2 million lines of code. Downloading, compiling (and re-compiling) and running the test suite can potentially consume a lot of time away from actually making the code changes and being productive. Knowing a few simple shortcuts can help avoid wasting time.
How to code 10x faster than an average programmer
What is the key to being an efficient programmer? Well, the answer is surprisingly simple. Having a setup where you can write and test your code over and over in an uninterrupted flow will dramatically increase your productivity.
Ensuring software quality with GitLab CI – case MariaDB in Debian
Of all CI systems I’ve used during my software development career, both as developer and manager, GitLab CI has proven itself to be the overall best system out there.
