# Default Branch Name

Status

Accepted

## Context

In recent years usage of the word `master` has become somewhat controversial [SFC-BNAMING] and consequently default branch name of Git repos has become `main`, both in Git itself [SFC-BNAMING] and in Git hosting solutions such as GitHub [GH-BRANCHES].

## Decision

RDFLib’s default branch will be renamed from `master` to `main`. This is primarily to stay in line with modern conventions and to adhere to the principle of least surprise.

## Consequences

Anticipated negative consequences:

- Some links to old code will be broken.

- Some people’s workflow may break unexpectedly and need adjusting.

- Any code and systems reliant on the old default branch name will fail.

Anticipated positive consequences:

- It will become a bit easier to work with RDFLib for developers that are used to `main` as the default branch.

## References

[GH-BRANCHES]

GitHub: About the default branch

[SFC-BNAMING] (1,2)

Regarding Git and Branch Naming