Large-scale code changes: how to do them safely

Large-scale code changes, distinct from typical code modifications, involve making logically related edits across numerous repositories that cannot be submitted as a single atomic unit due to practical constraints like tooling limitations and potential merge conflicts. The complexity lies not in the coding itself but in coordinating the process across multiple teams and repositories, requiring comprehensive enumeration, consistent application, and meticulous tracking of changes. Companies like Google have developed processes that shard a master change into smaller, independently manageable pieces, ensuring each can be reviewed, tested, and merged separately. Tools like Sourcegraph's Batch Changes streamline this process by allowing engineers to apply a single declarative change specification across multiple repositories, track the progress of each changeset, and manage the rollout systematically. This approach has proven effective for organizations like Workiva and Quantcast, significantly reducing the time needed to implement large-scale changes and increasing confidence in the completeness and consistency of these modifications.

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