X.Org Server: A Bold, Clean Rewrite 🚀🔥

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A Messy Master Branch: The Proposal for a Fresh Start
Alan Coopersmith of Oracle initiated a proposal to create a new, streamlined Git branch within the X.Org Server repository, driven by the increasingly complex and outdated state of the existing codebase. The core motivation was to facilitate the delivery of a refreshed X.Org Server and XWayland release slated for 2026, aiming for a more manageable development environment.

The Problem: A Cascade of Changes and Reverts
The current X.Org Server repository had become significantly cluttered due to a combination of factors, primarily the recent influx of changes introduced by Enrico Weigelt, now a developer for XLibre, alongside a series of subsequent code reverts. This resulted in a confusing mix of ongoing development efforts and conflicting code paths, as acknowledged by Coopersmith in a mailing list post.

Selective Incorporation: Starting from 2024
Rather than undertaking a complete overhaul, the plan centered around beginning development from an early 2024 snapshot of the X.Org Git state. The intent was to selectively incorporate commits from this baseline, removing only those commits that remained relevant while avoiding the need to revert previously implemented changes. This strategy was designed to address the complexities of the existing codebase without disrupting existing development workflows.

The Current State: 835 Commits and a Notable Difference
As of the proposal’s outlining, the new branch contains 835 commits derived from this 2024 snapshot. In contrast, the current “master” branch held a substantial 1386 commits, excluding the previously reverted 40 commits stemming from the !2102 issue. This demonstrates a significant divergence in the development trajectory.

Next Steps: Stakeholder Input and 2026 Releases
The project's immediate focus involves gathering perspectives from other upstream X.Org developer stakeholders. The ultimate goal is to determine whether this proposed restructuring will successfully lead to the delivery of X.Org Server 26.1 and XWayland 26.1 releases in the coming months, signifying a refreshed and more stable foundation for future development.

This article is AI-synthesized from public sources and may not reflect original reporting.