- follow Documentation/coding-style.txt coding style [**required**]
+- add the required copyright header to each new file introduced, see
+ [licensing information](LICENSING.md) [**required**]
+
- structure patches logically, in small steps [**required**]
- one separable functionality/fix/refactoring = one patch
- do not mix those there in a single patch
- test patches sufficiently (obvious, but...) [**required**]
- no regressions are caused in affected code
- seemingly unaffected architectures still build (use Travis CI e.g.)
+ - static code analyzer finds no new defects (register a github fork with
+ Travis CI and Coverity for free scanning) [*recommended*]
- the world is still spinning
- add signed-off to all patches [**required**]
2. accepted patches merged into next branch
-3. further testing done by community, including CI build tests
+3. further testing done by community, including CI build tests and code
+ analyzer runs
4. if no new problems or discussions showed up, acceptance into master
* grace period for master: about 3 days