Document the concept of “experimental feature” (#5930)

Add a page explaining what “experimental features” are, when and how they should be used

Co-authored-by: Valentin Gagarin <valentin.gagarin@tweag.io>
Co-authored-by: Eelco Dolstra <edolstra@gmail.com>
Co-authored-by: John Ericson <John.Ericson@Obsidian.Systems>

2 files changed, 92 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/doc/manual/src/SUMMARY.md.in b/doc/manual/src/SUMMARY.md.in
index 4b654567f..5bf274550 100644
--- a/doc/manual/src/SUMMARY.md.in
+++ b/doc/manual/src/SUMMARY.md.in
@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@
 - [Glossary](glossary.md)
 - [Contributing](contributing/contributing.md)
   - [Hacking](contributing/hacking.md)
+  - [Experimental Features](contributing/experimental-features.md)
   - [CLI guideline](contributing/cli-guideline.md)
 - [Release Notes](release-notes/release-notes.md)
   - [Release X.Y (202?-??-??)](release-notes/rl-next.md)
diff --git a/doc/manual/src/contributing/experimental-features.md b/doc/manual/src/contributing/experimental-features.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f1db22751
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/manual/src/contributing/experimental-features.md
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+This section describes the notion of *experimental features*, and how it fits into the big picture of the development of Nix.
+
+# What are experimental features?
+
+Experimental features are considered unstable, which means that they can be changed or removed at any time.
+Users must explicitly enable them by toggling the associated [experimental feature flags](@docroot@/command-ref/conf-file.md#conf-experimental-features).
+This allows accessing unstable functionality without unwittingly relying on it.
+
+Experimental feature flags were first introduced in [Nix 2.4](@docroot@/release-notes/rl-2.4.md).
+Before that, Nix did have experimental features, but they were not guarded by flags and were merely documented as unstable.
+This was a source of confusion and controversy.
+
+# When should a new feature be marked experimental?
+
+A change in the Nix codebase should be guarded by an experimental feature flag if it is considered likely to be reverted or adapted in a backwards-incompatible manner after gathering more experience with it in practice.
+
+Examples:
+
+- Changes to the Nix language, such as new built-ins, syntactic or semantic changes, etc.
+- Changes to the command-line interface
+
+# Lifecycle of an experimental feature
+
+Experimental features have to be treated on a case-by-case basis.
+However, the standard workflow for an experimental feature is as follows:
+
+- A new feature is implemented in a *pull request*
+  - It is guarded by an experimental feature flag that is disabled by default
+- The pull request is merged, the *experimental* feature ends up in a release
+    - Using the feature requires explicitly enabling it, signifying awareness of the potential risks
+    - Being experimental, the feature can still be changed arbitrarily
+- The feature can be *removed*
+  - The associated experimental feature flag is also removed
+- The feature can be declared *stable*
+  - The associated experimental feature flag is removed
+  - There should be enough evidence of users having tried the feature, such as feedback, fixed bugs, demonstrations of how it is put to use
+  - Maintainers must feel confident that:
+    - The feature is designed and implemented sensibly, that it is fit for purpose
+    - Potential interactions are well-understood
+    - Stabilising the feature will not incur an outsized maintenance burden in the future
+
+The following diagram illustrates the process:
+
+```
+                  .------.
+                  | idea |
+                  '------'
+                      |
+       discussion, design, implementation
+                      |
+                      |     .-------.
+                      |     |       |
+                      v     v       |
+               .--------------.  review
+               | pull request |     |
+               '--------------'     |
+                   |     ^  |       |
+                   |     |  '-------'
+               .---'     '----.
+               |              |
+             merge       user feedback,
+               |       (breaking) changes
+               |              |
+               '---.     .----'
+                   |     |
+                   v     |
+               +--------------+
+           .---| experimental |----.
+           |   +--------------+    |
+           |                       |
+decision to stabilise      decision against
+           |              keeping the feature
+           |                       |
+           v                       v
+       +--------+             +---------+
+       | stable |             | removed |
+       +--------+             +---------+
+```
+
+# Relation to the RFC process
+
+Experimental features and [RFCs](https://github.com/NixOS/rfcs/) both allow approaching substantial changes while minimizing the risk.
+However they serve different purposes:
+
+- An experimental feature enables developers to iterate on and deliver a new idea without committing to it or requiring a costly long-running fork.
+  It is primarily an issue of *implementation*, targeting Nix developers and early testers.
+- The goal of an RFC is to make explicit all the implications of a change:
+  Explain why it is wanted, which new use-cases it enables, which interface changes it requires, etc.
+  It is primarily an issue of *design* and *communication*, targeting the broader community.
+
+This means that experimental features and RFCs are orthogonal mechanisms, and can be used independently or together as needed.