Using Local Fre-workflows With Fre Pp Checkout: A Guide

For developers working with NOAA-GFDL's fre-workflows, efficiently testing local modifications is crucial. This article explores how to configure fre pp checkout to utilize a local copy of fre-workflows, streamlining the development process and reducing unnecessary remote pushes.

The Challenge: Testing Workflow Edits Locally

When developing for NOAA-GFDL/fre-workflows, the typical workflow involves cloning the repository, creating a development branch, and making code edits. A simplified sketch of this process looks like:

git clone git@github.com:noaa-gfdl/fre-workflows
cd fre-workflows
git checkout dev_branch
# proceed to hack at code in favorite text editor

However, testing these local edits with fre commands, particularly fre pp checkout, presents a challenge. Since fre pp checkout traditionally clones code from the remote noaa-gfdl/fre-workflows repository, developers often find themselves in a cycle of committing and pushing changes to the remote repository before testing them locally. This process can be time-consuming and inefficient, especially when dealing with minor corrections. This traditional method can be represented as:

git commit -o foo.py -m 'commit message'
git push
conda activate fre-cli
(fre-cli) fre pp checkout -e exp_name -p ptest -t ttest -y model.yaml --tag dev_branch
# rest of required fre commands to configure/install/run the workflow
# realize you did something super small wrong
# re-hack, re-edit
(fre-cli) git commit -o foo.py -m 'small oops'
(fre-cli) git push
(fre-cli) fre pp checkout -e exp_name -p ptest -t ttest -y model.yaml --tag dev_branch
# the hilarity continues

This iterative cycle, while functional, introduces unnecessary overhead. Developers may find themselves repeatedly committing and pushing small changes, leading to a cumbersome and noisy workflow. The need to test changes locally, before committing and pushing, becomes apparent for a more streamlined development experience.

The Solution: Using --use-local-workflow

To address this inefficiency, a solution is proposed: enabling fre pp checkout to utilize a local copy of the fre-workflows repository. This allows developers to test changes directly without the need for remote pushes. The improved workflow can be visualized as:

conda activate fre-cli
(fre-cli) fre pp checkout -e exp_name -p ptest -t ttest -y model.yaml --use-local-workflow $PWD
# rest of required fre commands to configure/install/run the workflow
# realize you did something super small wrong
# re-hack, re-edit
(fre-cli) fre pp checkout -e exp_name -p ptest -t ttest -y model.yaml --use-local-workflow $PWD
(fre-cli) git commit -o foo.py -m 'got it right first try'
(fre-cli) git push
# done with less noise

The introduction of the --use-local-workflow flag in the fre pp checkout command is the key to this improvement. By specifying the path to the local fre-workflows directory (in this case, using $PWD to represent the current working directory), the command will utilize the local copy instead of cloning from the remote repository. This significantly reduces the iteration time for testing and debugging workflow changes.

Benefits of Using a Local Workflow

There are several key advantages to using a local workflow for testing fre-workflows changes:

• Faster Testing Cycles: By eliminating the need to push changes to a remote repository before testing, developers can iterate more quickly and efficiently. This rapid feedback loop allows for faster identification and resolution of issues.
• Reduced Network Dependency: Testing against a local copy removes the dependency on a stable network connection. This is particularly beneficial in environments with limited or unreliable internet access.
• Cleaner Commit History: By testing changes locally, developers can avoid committing and pushing intermediate, potentially broken, versions of their code. This results in a cleaner and more professional commit history.
• Improved Collaboration: Local testing allows developers to validate changes in isolation before sharing them with the team. This reduces the risk of introducing bugs or conflicts into the shared codebase.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using --use-local-workflow

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the --use-local-workflow flag with fre pp checkout:

1. Clone the fre-workflows repository: If you haven't already, clone the fre-workflows repository from GitHub:

   git clone git@github.com:noaa-gfdl/fre-workflows
   

2. Navigate to the repository: Change your current directory to the cloned repository:

   cd fre-workflows
   

3. Create or checkout a development branch: It's recommended to work on a separate branch for your changes:

   git checkout -b dev_branch  # Or checkout an existing branch
   

4. Make your code edits: Use your favorite text editor to modify the workflow code.
5. Activate your fre-cli environment: Ensure your fre-cli environment is activated:

   conda activate fre-cli
   

6. Run fre pp checkout with --use-local-workflow: Use the fre pp checkout command with the --use-local-workflow flag, specifying the path to your local fre-workflows directory:

   (fre-cli) fre pp checkout -e exp_name -p ptest -t ttest -y model.yaml --use-local-workflow $PWD
   

   • Replace exp_name, ptest, ttest, and model.yaml with your specific experiment, partition, test type, and model configuration.
   • $PWD represents the current working directory, which should be the root of your local fre-workflows repository.
7. Test your changes: Proceed with the rest of the required fre commands to configure, install, and run your workflow, testing your local modifications.
8. Iterate as needed: If you encounter any issues, make further edits to your code and repeat steps 6 and 7 until you are satisfied with the results.
9. Commit and push your changes: Once you have thoroughly tested your local changes, commit them to your development branch and push them to the remote repository:

   git commit -o foo.py -m 'Your commit message'
   git push origin dev_branch
   

Best Practices for Local Workflow Testing

To maximize the benefits of local workflow testing, consider these best practices:

• Use a dedicated development branch: Always work on a dedicated branch for your changes to avoid disrupting the main codebase. This allows you to isolate your work and test changes without affecting other developers.
• Keep your local repository up-to-date: Regularly pull changes from the remote repository to ensure your local copy is synchronized with the latest updates. This minimizes the risk of conflicts and ensures you are working with the most current code.
• Thoroughly test your changes: Don't rely solely on local testing. After pushing your changes to the remote repository, perform additional testing in a staging or testing environment to ensure they work as expected in a production-like setting.
• Document your workflow: Clearly document the steps involved in local workflow testing to ensure consistency and reproducibility. This helps other developers understand the process and contribute effectively.

Conclusion

Using a local copy of fre-workflows with fre pp checkout offers a significant improvement to the development workflow for NOAA-GFDL projects. The --use-local-workflow flag streamlines testing, reduces network dependency, and promotes a cleaner commit history. By following the steps and best practices outlined in this guide, developers can enhance their productivity and contribute more effectively to the fre-workflows ecosystem.

For more information about fre-workflows and related tools, visit the NOAA-GFDL GitHub repository.