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# Default Branch Name

Status

Accepted

## Context

In recent years usage of the word `master` has become somewhat controversial as noted by SFC and consequently default branch name of Git repos has become `main`, both in Git itself according to SFC and in Git hosting solutions such as GitHub documentation.

## 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