In the merging process, what do "feature branches" refer to?

Feature branches are a fundamental concept in version control systems, specifically within the context of software development. These branches are created to allow individual developers to work on specific features in isolation from the main codebase, often referred to as the "main" or "develop" branch. This enables multiple developers to work concurrently on different aspects of the application without interfering with one another.

When a developer wants to work on a new feature, they create a feature branch from the main codebase. This ensures that any changes they make are contained within that branch until the feature is fully developed, tested, and ready to be combined back into the main branch. The use of feature branches thus streamlines collaborative workflows and helps maintain the integrity of the codebase until enhancements or fixes are made ready for production.

In contrast, temporary storage branches do not capture the nature of feature development; they are used differently, often for short-term purposes. Branches used for version control generally refer to the broader concept of managing changes in code rather than the specific practice of developing new features. Finally, branches that handle production code refer more to stable or release versions of the application, focusing on deployment status as opposed to development work.