Update as of 8/15/2012
* Refactored ACL functionality:
  * Implementation is not bound to backend area anymore and moved to `Mage_Core` module
  * Covered backwards-incompatible changes with additional migration tool (`dev/tools/migration/Acl`)
* Implemented "move" layout directive and slightly modified behavior of "remove"
* A failure in DB cleanup by integration testing framework is articulated more clearly by throwing `Magento_Exception`
* Fixed security vulnerability of exploiting Magento "cookie restriction" feature
* Fixed caching mechanism of loading modules declaration to not cause additional performance overhead
* Adjusted include path in unit tests to use the original include path at the end, rather than at the beginning
Update as of 8/26/2012
* Decoupled Tag module functionality from other modules
* Visual Design Editor:
  * Implemented tracking of user changes history and rendering the actions at VDE toolbar
  * Implemented compacting of user changes history. Compacting is done in order to save all the changes as a minimal layout update.
* Improvements:
  * Added Atlassian IDE Plugin configuration files to `.gitignore`
  * Relocated `add_to_cart`, `checkout` and `product_edit` performance scenarios from `samples` to the normal `testsuite` directory. These scenarios can be used for Magento performance testing.
  * Implemented verification of number of orders that were created during execution of `checkout` performance scenario
  * Removed usage of deprecated `PHPUnit_Extensions_OutputTestCase` class from unit tests
* Fixes:
  * Fixed MySQL DB adapter to always throw exception, if it was not able to connect to DB because of wrong configuration. So now the adapter's behavior is not dependent on `error_reporting` settings.
  * Added the missing closing tag to New Order email template
  * Fixed `Mage_ImportExport_Model_Import_Entity_CustomerComposite` integration test issues
  * Marked several integration tests in `Mage_Adminhtml_CustomerControllerTest` as incomplete, as the tested functionality was not MMDB-compliant
  * Fixed issue with unit tests failure, when there was a Zend Framework installed as PEAR package
  * Fixed `advanced_search` performance scenario to fail, if the searched product doesn't exist
  * Fixed issue with non-escaped latest message link in admin backend
* GitHub requests:
  * [#48](https://github.com/magento/magento2/pull/48) -- fixed usage of a collection at the place, where just a single object was needed
Update as of 8/30/2012
* Fixes:
  * Fixed name, title, markup, styles at "Orders and Returns" homepage
  * Fixed displaying products in the shopping cart item block at the backend
Update as of 9/05/2012
* Implemented encryption of the credit card name and expiration date for the payment method "Credit Card (saved)"
* Implemented console utility `dev/tools/migration/get_aliases_map.php`, which generates map file "M1 class alias" to "M2 class name"
* Implemented automatic data upgrades for replacing "M1 class aliases" to "M2 class names" in a database
* Implemented recursive `chmod` in the library class `Varien_Io_File`
* Improved verbosity of the library class `Magento_Shell`
* Migrated client-side translation mechanism to jQuery
* Performance tests:
  * Improved assertion for number of created orders for the checkout performance testing scenario
    * Reverted the feature of specifying PHP scenarios to be executed before and after a JMeter scenario
    * Implemented validation for the number of created orders as a part of the JMeter scenario
    * Implemented the "Admin Login" user activity as a separate file to be reused in the performance testing scenarios
  * Implemented fixture of 100k customers for the performance tests
  * Implemented fixture of 100k products for the performance tests
    * Enhanced module `Mage_ImportExport` in order to utilize it for the fixture implementation
  * Implemented back-end performance testing scenario, which covers Dashboard, Manage Products, Manage Customers pages
* Fixes:
  * Fixed Magento console installer to enable write permission recursively to the `var` directory
  * Fixed performance tests to enable write permission recursively to the `var` directory
  * Fixed integration test `Mage_Adminhtml_Model_System_Config_Source_Admin_PageTest::testToOptionArray` to not produce "Warning: DOMDocument::loadHTML(): htmlParseEntityRef: expecting ';' in Entity" in the developer mode
* GitHub requests:
  * [#43](https://github.com/magento/magento2/pull/43) -- implemented logging of executed setup files
  * [#44](https://github.com/magento/magento2/pull/44)
    * Implemented support of writing logs into wrappers (for example, `php://output`)
    * Enforced a log writer model to be an instance of `Zend_Log_Writer_Stream`
  * [#49](https://github.com/magento/magento2/pull/49)
    * Fixed sorting of totals according to "before" and "after" properties
    * Introduced `Magento_Data_Graph` library class and utilized it for finding cycles in "before" and "after" declarations
    * Implemented tests for totals sorting including the ambiguous cases
Update as of 9/13/2012
* Implemented the option to enable the single store mode in the system configuration, which simplifies the back-end GUI:
  * Hiding scope labels from the system configuration
  * Hiding the scope switcher from the CMS management pages and the system configuration
  * Hiding scope related fields from the system configuration
  * Hiding scope related columns and fields from the sales pages (order, invoice, shipment pages)
  * Hiding scope related fields from the promotions
  * Hiding scope related fields from the catalog pages
  * Hiding scope related columns and fields from the customers management page
  * Hiding scope related columns and fields from the customer and customer address attributes management pages
* Implemented the history management for the Visual Design Editor
* Implemented the user interface for themes management, which allows to list existing themes and add new ones
* Replaced all usages of the old JavaScript translations mechanism with the new jQuery one
* Refactored methods with high cyclomatic complexity
* Converted some surrogate integration tests into functional Selenium tests
* Converted some surrogate integration tests into unit tests
* Fixes:
  * Fixed inability to install application with a prefix defined for database tables
  * Fixed displaying fields with model name in the payment methods settings
  * Fixed performance degradation of the back-end menu rendering
  * Fixed absence of the success message upon newsletter template creation/deletion/queueing
  * Workaround for occasional segmentation fault in integration tests caused by `Mage_Core_Model_Resource_Setup_Migration`
* GitHub requests:
  * [#51](https://github.com/magento/magento2/issues/51) -- fixed managing of scope-spefic values for Categories
  * [#56](https://github.com/magento/magento2/pull/56) -- removed excessive semicolon in the CSS file
  * [#60](https://github.com/magento/magento2/issues/60) -- fixed taking bind parameters into account in `Mage_Core_Model_Resource_Db_Collection_Abstract::getAllIds()`
  * [#61](https://github.com/magento/magento2/pull/61) -- relocated declaration of the "Google Checkout" payment method into `Mage_GoogleCheckout` module from `Mage_Sales`
Update as of 9/27/2012
* Refactoring Magento 2 to use jQuery instead of Prototype:
  * Implemented simple lazy-loading functionality
  * Converted decorator mechanism to jQuery
  * Moved Installation process to jQuery
  * Moved Home, Category and Simple Product View pages to jQuery
  * Moved all frontend libraries from `pub/js` directory to `pub/lib`
* Improved Javascript unit tests to be consistent with other test frameworks in Magento
* Added Javascript code analysis tests to the static tests suite
* Added jQuery file uploader for admin backend, cleaned out old deprecated uploaders
* Implemented fixture of 100k orders for the performance tests
* Fixes
  * Admin menu elements order differs for a cached page and non-cached one
  * Typos in System > Configuration > General Tab
  * Wrong elements positions on "View Order" page
  * Impossible to configure checkout on store scope
  * Warning message in `system.log` when using GD2 image adapter
  * "Preview" link is absent for managing CMS Pages in single store mode
  * "Promotions" tab is missing on Configuration page
  * Wrong format of performance tests config
Update as of 10/09/2012
* Performance Testing Framework improvements:
  * Added ability to specify fixtures per scenario
  * Implemented Magento application cleanup between scenarios
  * Implemented support of PHP scenarios. The framework distinguishes type of the scenario by its extension: `jmx` or `php`
  * Added ability to skip warm-up for a certain scenario
  * JMeter scenarios are run with `jmeter` command instead of `java -jar ApacheJmeter.jar`. It's impossible to specify path to JMeter tool now, it should be accessible from command line as `jmeter`
* Implemented fixture for Performance Tests with 80k products distributed among 200 categories
* Tax rule management UI simplified:
  * Added `Jeditable` jQuery library
  * Added multiselect fields for customer tax class, product tax class and tax rate
  * Added ability to add/edit Tax Rate directly from Tax Rule page
* Simplified product creation workflow:
  * Added product types dropdown to "Add Product" button. Default attribute set is used for product creation
  * "Add Product" button opens form for Simple product with Default attribute set
  * Attribute set can be changed from product creation form
* Implemented auto-generation of product SKU and meta fields. The templates can be configured in `System -> Configuration -> Catalog -> Catalog -> Product Fields Auto-Generation`
* Added ability to unassign system attribute from an attribute set, if it's not "Minimal" one
* Specified UI IDs for base Backend elements. UI ID is represented as HTML "id" attribute intended to identify certain HTML element
* Refactored `Catalog_Model_Product_Indexer_Flat::matchEvent()` method - reduced cyclomatic complexity
* Updated DB structure to make possible to store Themes' and Widgets' layout updates
* Migration to jQuery:
  * Replaced Ajax, Dialog and Template mechanisms with jQuery analogs
  * Added jQuery loader for translation process
  * Migrated Inline-Translator to jQuery
* JavaScript improvements:
  * Implemented `editTrigger` jQuery widget intended to display "Edit" button for elements it is attached to
* Fixes:
  * Incorrect title for "Currency Symbols" page on Backend
  * References to website, store and store view aren't displayed on Backend, if Single Store mode is disabled
  * "Store" column and dropdown are displayed on `System -> Import/Export -> DataFlow-Profiles` page, when Single Store mode is enabled
  * Options are absent for `'tax_class_id'` product attribute
  * No exception/error message is produced, when attempting to commit/rollback asymmetric DB transaction
  * Links are not copied during downloadable product duplication
  * PayPal tab is absent in `System -> Configuration -> Sales` section
  * "Edit" link in wishlist opens Product View page instead of "Configure Product" page
  * Default value for a product attribute is not saved
  * Escaped HTML blocks with `Mage_Core_Helper_Data::jsonEncode`, where necessary
  * Impossible to add new Dataflow profile
  * Impossible to specify default option for new product attribute with "dropdown" type
  * Unable to send the email when creating new invoice/shipment/credit memo
  * "Segmentation Fault" in Integration tests
* GitHub requests:
  * [#36](https://github.com/magento/magento2/pull/36) -- added ability to force set of "Include Tax" option for catalog prices
  * [#63](https://github.com/magento/magento2/pull/63) -- removed obsolete "args" node in event subscribers
  * [#64](https://github.com/magento/magento2/pull/64) -- fixed EAV text attribute validation for "0" value
  * [#72](https://github.com/magento/magento2/pull/72) -- fixed collecting shipping totals for case, when previous invoice value is 0
Update as of 10/11/2012
* Removed unused `Mage_DesignEditor_Model_History_Compact_Diff` class
* Fixes:
  * Incorrect title for Manage Products page
  * 'Element with ID 'wishlist_column_qty' already exists.' error on Manage Shopping Cart page
  * Incorrect redirect on "Print Shipping Labels" action, when shipment without shipping label selected
  * Error message is displayed twice, when restoring admin password with captcha enabled
  * Impossible to retrieve admin password, when captcha is enabled
Update as of 10/16/2012
* Introduced block arguments to the layout syntax:
  * Introduced the "object" block argument type to specify a grid data source
  * Introduced the "options" block argument type to accommodate key-value pairs
  * Introduced the "URL" block argument type to represent a URL with parameters
  * Introduced block argument updaters for the block arguments, which allow to customize the original grid arguments
  * Implemented extraction of translatable strings from block arguments in layout by the Translation Tool
* Declared the Customer Wishlist and Sales Order grids through the layout instead of the PHP classes
* Implemented the block `Mage_Backend_Block_Widget_Grid_Massaction` to encapsulate grid mass actions
* Moved grid columns and mass action management from the base grid `Mage_Backend_Block_Widget_Grid` to the `Mage_Backend_Block_Widget_Grid_Extended`
* Introduced the column set block `Mage_Backend_Block_Widget_Grid_ColumnSet` responsible for grouping columns in a grid
* Updated the grid rendering template to render a column set instead of rendering columns
* Eliminated dependency between the grid column block and parent blocks
* Denied the public access to the `pub/cron.php`
* Fixes:
  * Fixed the broken Billing Agreement View page
  * Fixed absence of the Default and Minimal attribute sets in the Manage Attribute Sets grid, if the total number of records is 22 and the view of 20 rows per page is chosen
  * Fixed typos on the Sales Order page
  * Fixed typos on the Sales Order's Packing Slips printed to PDF
  * Fixed preserving selected rows after searching in the Sales Order grid
  * Fixed "column not found" SQL error while sorting by the "Product Name" in the Catalog Pending Reviews grid
2.0.0.0-dev29
* Implemented and verified ability to upgrade DB from CE 1.7 (EE 1.12) to 2.x
* Replaced calendar UI component with jQuery calendar
* Restored back the public access to `pub/cron.php` entry point (in the previous patch it was denied by mistake)
* Fixed typo in label of "Catalog Search" index in UI
2.0.0.0-dev30
* Framework changes
  * Added dependency injection of framework capability
    * Adopted Zend\Di component of Zend Framework 2 library
    * Implemented object manager in Magento application
    * Refactored multiple base classes to dependency injection principle (dependencies are declared in constructor)
  * Themes/View
    * Implemented storing themes registry in database, basic CRUD of themes, automatic registration of themes in database from file system out of the box
    * Renamed `Mage_Core_Model_Layout_Update` into `Mage_Core_Model_Layout_Merge`, the former becomes an entity domain model. Similar changes with `Mage_Core_Model_Resource_Layout` -> `Mage_Core_Model_Resource_Layout_Update`, `Mage_Core_Model_Layout_Data` -> `Mage_Core_Model_Layout_Update`
* Performance tests
  * Improved indexers running script `dev/shell/indexer.php` to return appropriate exit code upon success/failure
  * Implemented running the same performance scenario file with different parameters
  * Slightly refactored framework class `Magento_Performance_Testsuite_Optimizer` for better visibility of algorithm
* Visual design editor
  * Added ability to remove elements in editor UI
  * Revised history of changes VDE toolbar and algorithm of "compacting" operations (moving, removing elements) as a layout update XML
  * Added selection of themes to VDE launcher page
* Refactored JavaScript of some UI elements to jQuery:
  * "Simple" and "configurable" product view pages
  * "Create Account" page
  * "Shopping Cart" page
  * CAPTCHA
  * Newsletter subscription
* Tax management UX improvements
  * Split Basic and Advanced Settings for Tax Rule Management UI
  * Moved the Import/Export functionality to Tax Rate page
  * Moved Tax menu to System from Sales
* Implemented the editable multiselect JavaScript component
* Added mentioning sitemap in `robots.txt` after generation
* Removed creation of DB backup in integration testing framework
* Fixed logic of order of loading ACL resources in backend
* Fixed JavaScript error during installation when one of files in `pub/media` is not writable
* Fixed structure of legacy test fixtures that allowed ambiguous keys in declaration
* Fixed inability to restore admin password when CAPTCHA is enabled
* Various minor UX fixes (labels, buttons, redirects, etc...)
* GitHub requests:
  * [#59](https://github.com/magento/magento2/issues/59) -- implemented handling of unexpected situations in admin/dashboard/tunnel action
  * [#66](https://github.com/magento/magento2/issues/66)
    * refactored ImageMagick adapter unit test to avoid system operation
    * simplified unit testing framework -- removed unused classes, simplified handling logic of directory `dev/tests/unit/tmp` and removed it from VCS
  * [#73](https://github.com/magento/magento2/pull/73), [#74](https://github.com/magento/magento2/pull/74) -- fixes in docblock tags
  * [#75](https://github.com/magento/magento2/pull/75), [#96](https://github.com/magento/magento2/pull/96) -- fixed translation module contexts in a few places
  * [#80](https://github.com/magento/magento2/issues/80) -- fixed some runtime errors in import/export module
  * [#81](https://github.com/magento/magento2/issues/81) -- removed usage of "remove" directive in places where it is overridden by setting root template anyway
  * [#87](https://github.com/magento/magento2/issues/87) -- changed paths of files to include from relative into absolute in `dev/shell/indexer.php` and `log.php`
  * [#88](https://github.com/magento/magento2/issues/88) -- provided comments for values that can be configured in `app/etc/local.xml` file
  * [#90](https://github.com/magento/magento2/issues/90) -- slightly optimized logic of implementation of loading configurable product attributes
2.0.0.0-dev31
* Themes:
  * Eliminated "skins" as a concept. Skins and themes are consolidated into one entity and now called just "themes"
  * New themes out of the box are named by their distinctive characteristic (thus, "default" is renamed to "demo")
  * Revised logic of handling "virtual" (which are present in database registry only, but not in the file system) VS "physical" themes
* Dependency injection:
  * Reduced memory leaks of integration tests caused by introduction of object manager
  * Added compiler for dependency injection definitions and ability to run Magento application with the compiled definitions
* `Mage_Adminhtml` breakdown:
  * Implemented XML-schema for system configuration form declaration files (`etc/system.xml` in each module), refactored them to comply with schema and relocated to `etc/adminhtml/system.xml`
  * Removed remnants of `Mage_Admin` module (replaced with `Mage_Backend` and others)
  * Removed multiple obsolete models in `Mage_Adminhtml` module -- replaced with more generic classes in `Mage_Backend` (less classes overall)
* Replaced `Magento_Test_TestCase_ObjectManagerAbstract` in unit testing framework by a helper in test suite
* Made the PHP coding standard test (`Php_LiveCodeTest`) treat white/black lists as `glob()` patterns and verify correctness of the actual patterns
* Consolidated `upload_max_filesize` logic into one helper
* Bug fixes:
  * Fatal error on Product Tags and Customers Tagged Product (on product editing page in backend)
  * Trailing space in date caused by new "date picker" JavaScript component
  * Impossibility to add product to an order in backend in IE8
  * Not picking a template on customer "Shopping Cart" page at the backend
  * "Use Default" checkbox is checked again after saving multiselect attribute config if option does not contain value
  * "Single Store Mode" UI fixes
  * Runtime error when previewing transactional email template
  * Incorrect redirect after applying filter in grids
  * Various asynchronous placement of profiler keys
  * Various fixes in Taxes backend UI
  * Various fixes in translation literals
2.0.0.0-dev32
* Improved product edit workflow:
  * Introduced Category Assignment control on "General" tab
  * Eliminated attribute preselection screen
  * Base image assignment control moved to "General" tab
  * Base inventory attributes controls displayed on "General" tab. Values of the attributes are synchronized between "General" and "Inventory" tabs
* Improved static code analysis tests to verify existence of paths specified in white/black lists
* Reduced memory usage by integration tests by automatic cleaning properties of test classes
* Added migration tool `dev/tools/migration/themes_view.php` for replacing old `{{skin}}` with new `{{view}}` placeholders
* Changed handling of exceptions, produced by non-existing view files, to not break whole page
* Removed empty locale files
* Bug fixes:
  * Page with tracking information absent, if shipping labels integration is used
  * Category is not displayed on frontend with "Use Flat Catalog Category" option enabled
  * Exception on "Coupons Usage Report" page after upgrade from Magento 1.x
  * Exception on "Most Viewed Products" page after upgrade from Magento 1.x
  * Quick search produces error, if searching for a product with an attribute that has "Use In Search Results Layered Navigation" option set to "Yes"
  * Exception on "Add/Edit Customer" page when Magento profiler with html output is enabled
  * Can't duplicate downloadable product with sample file attached
  * Product Type dropdown on "Add Product" page doesn't work in IE9
  * Various issues related to adding/editing product
2.0.0.0-dev33
* Improved Themes functionality to meet the following requirements:
  * Magento instance doesn’t crash in case there’re no themes at all
  * Features like selection of themes in system configuration, custom theme selection in Custom Design, CMS pages, Products and Categories can work without themes. They use base view files only.
  * Virtual themes work in the same way as the non-virtual (which are present in file system) though they additionally have inheritance property. Changes were made in theme switcher, in fallback mechanism, in widgets etc.
  * Non-virtual themes are being added to DB during installation
  * Application framework uses theme id as identifier instead of theme code
* Refactored a variety of report grids in backend (admin) to make them configurable through layout, rather than hard-coded.
* Removed obsolete modules:
  * `Mage_XmlConnect`
  * `Mage_Dataflow`
* Significantly changed Logging subsystem:
  * `Mage_Core_Model_Logger` class is responsible for logging
  * Changes are made to comply with DI paradigm
  * Custom logger in `Mage_Backend_Menu` subsystem is removed due to usage of regular one
* Changes made in autoload process
  * Fixed autoload to prevent `class_exists()` from causing fatal error
  * The `Magento_Autoload` library was divided into 2 classes: `Magento_Autoload_IncludePath` is responsible for loading from include path, `Magento_Autoload_ClassMap` from a class map. Stacked "class map" loader on top of "include path" loader in application bootstrap.
* Implemented new jQuery form widget. Its responsibility is to prepare form for submission (change form attributes if needed)
  * Replaced usage of different instances of `varienForm` with a new form widget (`productForm`, `categoryForm`, instances of type "onclick declaration", "as child component", "instantiation only")
  * Replaced prototype validation with jQuery analog
  * Additionally implemented form widget in different modules (CMS, Customer, Backend, Sitemap, DesignEditor, Tags, SystemEmail, Newsletters, ImportExport, Connect, Authorize.net)
* Minor improvements
  * Fixed css styles for validation messages in different parts of the system
  * Removed usage of `jquery-ui-1.8.21.custom.css`
  * Updated versions of jQuery and jQuery-UI on backend
  * Updated Magento trademark and copyright labels at the bottom of pages: changed legal entity name to X.Commerce, Inc, made translation engine pick them up
  * Improvements made in indexers to stabilize tests. Fixed wrong initialization order of indexers that sometimes caused failure of reindexing all at once
* Bugfixes:
  * Set correct order's data change state during voiding the order
  * Set translator to pick up status labels in drop-down in "Shopping cart price rule" admin grid
  * Fixed an issue in console installer that initialized application in such a way, that it could not load certain event area.
  * Fixed incorrect loader image source in backend during new tax rule creation
  * Fixed JS error in IE with creating products via floating toolbar
  * Fixed image save url during uploading product's images
  * Added permission check for editing shipping and billing addresses during viewing the order
  * Changed saving of order comments from backend. Comment is saved even without status change
  * Added additional validation into `quickCreateAction` of `Mage_Adminhtml_Catalog_ProductController` to prevent saving new product with any id using firebug
  * Fixed JS errors in Authorize.net Direct Post submodule
  * Fixed JS errors in split button on creating product
  * Fixed errors in poll's list template in backend
2.0.0.0-dev34
* Test Framework:
  * Created `CodingStandard_ToolInterface` - new interface for coding standard static tests. Refactored `CodeSniffer` class as an implementation of the interface
  * Fixed DB isolation in integration tests after themes refactoring
  * Minor test fixes
* Changes in product creation process
  * Added ability to change product type "on the fly" depending on selected options
  * Added ability of new category creation on "General" tab
  * Moved "Associated Products" tab contents to collapsible block on "General" tab for configurable products
  * Visual enhancement made for base image and Virtual/Downloadable checkbox
  * Refactored implementation of associated products in backend (admin) to make them configurable through grid layout, rather than hard-coded.
  * Enhanced product variation matrix for configurable products
  * Changed "Apply To" feature in product attributes management due to changes in product creation process
* Fixed XSS vulnerabilities in `Mage_Wishlist_IndexController`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Review_Edit_Form`, `Mage_Catalog_Product_CompareController`
* Bug fixes
  * Fixed error on `Catalog -> Google Content -> Manage Items page`
  * Fixed bug with "Update Attributes" mass action for products on backend caused by setting incorrect inheritance of `Mage_Adminhtml_Helper_Catalog_Product_Edit_Action_Attribute`
  * Added additional validation of "quantity" field to fix issues with inventory during product saving
  * Added additional validation into `EAV` models to forbid creation of two products with the same unique multi-select attribute
2.0.0.0-dev35
* Enhancements of System Configuration:
  * Introduced new items that can be configured in the similar to Magento 1.x way, using xml files: nested groups in System Configuration form, group dependencies, intersected dependencies
  * Enhanced handling of field dependencies, required fields functionality
  * Changed Configuration structure to be represented as an object model
  * Improved performance of configuration rendering
* Implemented new API in `Mage_Webapi` module
  * Removed `Mage_Api` and `Mage_Api2` modules as obsolete API implementation
  * Added support of REST and SOAP 1.2 [WS-I 2.0](http://ws-i.org/Profiles/BasicProfile-2.0-2010-11-09.html) APIs
  * Introduced versioning per API resource. The application will support old version(s) of API after upgrading to not make old API requests fail
  * Unified implementation for all API types
  * Significantly simplified coverage of new API resources
  * Added two-legged `OAuth` 1.0 for REST authentication
  * Added WS-Security for SOAP authentication
  * Added automatic generation of REST routes and SOAP WSDL on the basis of API class interface and annotations
  * Introduced generation of API reference from annotated WSDL (for SOAP API)
* Introduced service layer. Business logic should be implemented once on service layer and could be utilized from different types of controller (e.g., general or API)
  * Business logic is implemented on service layer to be utilized from different types of controller (e.g., general or API)
  * Implemented abstract service layer class - `Mage_Core_Service_ServiceAbstract`
  * Implemented concrete service layers for customers, orders and quotes. Appropriate duplicate logic has been eliminated from controllers and API
* Improved validation approach:
  * Added support of describing validation rules in a module's configuration file - `validation.xml` in the module's `etc` directory
  * Added `Mage_Core_Model_Validator_Factory`
  * Added new validators to Magento Validator library
  * Added `Magento_Translate_Adapter` as a translator for the validators
  * New approach is utilized in `Mage_Customer`, `Mage_Eav` and `Mage_Webapi` modules
* Added profiling of DB and cache requests
* Minor Improvements:
  * Added an ability to choose the image for logo and upload it from backend web-interface
  * Added notification in backend in case of product SKU change
* Bug fixes:
  * Fixed bug in `Mage_Adminhtml_Sales_Order_CreditmemoController` that changed item’s stock status after each comment
  * Removed `Debug` section in `System -> Configuration -> Advanced -> Developer` for default configuration scope
  * Fixed bug in `Mage_Tax_Model_Resource_Calculation` that prevented placing order with two tax rules having the same rate
  * Removed `Url Options` section in `System -> Configuration -> General -> Web` for website and store configuration scope
  * Changed backend template for UPS shipping provider to fix translation issue
* Fixed security issue - set `CURLOPT_SSL_VERIFYPEER` to `true` by default in cUrl calls
* Added `Zend/Escaper`, `Zend/I18`, `Zend/Validator` ZF2 libraries
* Updated `Zend/Server` and `Zend/Soap` libraries to ZF2 versions
2.0.0.0-dev36
* Visual design editor refactored
  * VDE controls and VDE actions moved to backend area
  * Added IFRAME that allows to navigate through frontend pages in Navigation Mode and to modify blocks position in Design Mode
  * Inline JavaScript code is disabled in Design Mode
  * Store selection is performed on saving instead of reviewing the theme. List of all available stores is shown during assigning the theme to a store
  * `System -> Design -> Editor` page divided into two tabs:
    * "Available Themes" tab contains all available themes
    * "My Customizations" tab contains themes customized by the store administrator and consists of area with themes assigned to stores and area with unassigned themes
  * Added `vde` area code and `Mage_DesignEditor_Controller_Varien_Router_Standard` to handle requests from design editor
  * Added ability to use custom layout instance in controllers to use specific layout, when design editor is launched
* JavaScript updates
  * Replaced `varienTabs` class with an analogous jQuery widget
  * Displaying of loader during AJAX requests became optional
* Removed `dev/api-tests` directory added by mistake
* Bug fixes
  * Impossible to login to backend with APC enabled. Added call of `session_write_close()` in the session model destructor
  * Unnecessary regions shown when no country is selected in `System -> Sales -> Shipping Settings -> Origin`
  * Fixed various bugs caused by virtual themes implementation and other themes improvements
2.0.0.0-dev37
* Refactored a variety of grids in backend (admin) to make them configurable through layout, rather than hard-coded. The following classes were affected (converted): `Mage_User_Block_User_Grid`, `Mage_User_Block_Role_Grid`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_System_Design_Grid`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Catalog_Product_Attribute_Set_Grid`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Newsletter_Problem_Grid`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Backup_Grid`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Tax_Rate_Grid`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_System_Store_Grid`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_System_Email_Template_Grid`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Sitemap_Grid`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Catalog_Search_Grid`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Urlrewrite_Grid`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_System_Variable_Grid`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Report_Review_Customer_Grid`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Report_Review_Product_Grid`
* Modified behavior of configuration merging. Each config file can be separately validated against DOM schema.
* Moved `Mage_Adminhtml_Utility_Controller` to `Backend` and changed all child classes
* Changes in Profiler system:
  * Created separate component for handling Profiler Driver selection logic
  * Extended `Magento_Profiler::start()` calls with tags as second argument
* Bug fix - Added additional validation into `Mage_Adminhtml_Catalog_CategoryController` to prevent saving new category with any id using firebug
2.0.0.0-dev38
* Changed application initialization procedure
  * Application can be started with specific initial configuration data. `Mage_Core_Model_Config::loadBase()` merges this configuration with the highest priority
  * `Mage` class is no longer responsible for application installation status. `Mage_Core_Model_App` has this responsibility (`Mage_Core_Model_App::isInstalled()`)
* Implemented new library component `Magento_Filesystem` for working with file system
  * New component has more abstract layer of interaction with file system, better path isolation
  * Introduced interface Magento_Filesystem_AdapterInterface for file operations. Added concrete implementation in `Magento_Filesystem_Adapter_Local`
  * Introduced interface Magento_Filesystem_StreamInterface for stream operations with content. Added concrete implementation in `Magento_Filesystem_Stream_Local`
  * Added special class `Magento_Filesystem_Stream_Mode` to set parameters of stream on opening (read-only, write-only etc.)
* Added an ability to skip some service functions for lighter launch of application in `app/bootstrap.php`
* Improved batch tool for launching automated tests. Tool has an ability to run specified test types. Tool was moved from `dev/tools/batch_tests` to `dev/tools/tests.php`
* Improved integration test Mage_Adminhtml_DashboardControllerTest to skip test case when Google service is unavailable
* Improved url building process in new jQuery form widget to have it more secure
* Removed obsolete `@group module::<Namespace_Module>` annotation from integration tests, restricted its further usage
* Updated jQuery library used in application, used unified file name instead of version-based one
* Relocated XSD files for System Configuration, Menu Configuration, ACL Configuration, ACL Configuration for WebApi, Theme Configuration, View Configuration, Validator Configuration to `etc` subfolders of corresponding modules
* Bug fixes
  * Fixed bug with placing order in backend using Authorize.Net Direct Post payment method
  * Changed `Mage_Core_Model_Url` to fix bug with incorrect links on frontend (My Wishlist, Go to Shopping Cart, Continue button at first checkout step)
  * Fixed several bugs after converting backend grids to layout declaration. Changes were made in EAV Attributes, Design, Newsletter, Backup modules
  * Fixed incorrect current working directory behavior on application isolation in tests
2.0.0.0-dev39
* Visual design editor improvements:
  * VDE changes can be saved to DB for current store and theme. Layout updates composed by VDE are combined into one record
  * Introduced temporary layout changes which should store non-applied modifications made during VDE functioning. Added new column `updated_at` to `core_layout_update` table for this, added observers and cron jobs to clean outdated layout updates
  * Added `vde/` prefix to all links inside VDE frame
  * Disabled caching (layout, blocks HTML, etc) in Design mode
  * Reviewed and improved "Quit" action to properly cleanup session, cache and cookies
  * Visual enhancements added when block is being dragged (block display, highlighting, cursor shape)
  * Added ability to set placeholder for a draggable block in VDE canvas
  * Fixed sorting of items within container
  * Improved logic of VDE canvas iframe sizing according to window size to have one scroll bar and static toolbar at the bottom of the page
* Improved themes management:
  * New separate tab on theme edit page which allows to view and download CSS files used on frontend. Files are divided to framework files, library files and theme files
  * Added an ability to upload and store custom CSS file which can be applied on frontend
  * Improved renaming of virtual themes, restricted modifying of physical themes
* Implemented changes in product creation process in admin interface:
  * Added "Variations" block with configurable product attributes in "General" tab. With this block all final prices of configurable product variations can be easily added and configured in one place. Easy sorting mechanism helps understand the order of applying price modifications. "Variations" block can be reloaded itself without reloading all product creation page. All product variations are being created automatically with saving the parent configurable product
  * Improved image management control. Multiple image control is placed in General tab. It provides easier upload and basic management of product's images than image gallery does.
  * Changed Save button on product edit page. Save button is implemented as a split-button with the following options: "Save & New", "Save & Duplicate", "Save & Close"
* Changed representation of a configurable product's image on frontend to use product's variation image instead of parent product's one
* Implemented js-plugin `mage` to give an ability to extend Magento js-code and modify initializing parameters during the runtime. Replaced instantiation of `form` and `validation` instances with `mage` widget
* Implemented autocomplete js-component on backend based on jQuery-ui
* Refactored frontend design theme to use jQuery library instead of Prototype for the following frontend components:
  * Varien Product class – class handles product price calculations on the client side as product price options are changed: `Product.Config`, `Product.Zoom`, `Product.Super`, `Product.OptionsPrice`
  * `RegionUpdater` & `ZipUpdater` classes – classes handle dynamically changing State/Province field from drop down to text field depending on selected country. They also handle "required" setting for State/Province and Zip/Postal Code fields.
  * `Varien.searchForm` – class handles quick search autocomplete functionality
* `VarienForm` class is deprecated
* Improved floating toolbar in backend
* Refactored the following grids in backend to make them configurable through layout, rather than hard-coded: `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Newsletter_Queue_Grid`, `Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Report_Refresh_Statistics`
* Dependency injection improvements:
  * Added ability to generate proxy and factory classes on-the-fly for use with DI implementations. Generators can be managed in DI configuration
  * Implemented tools (shell scripts) that allow generating skeletons of factory and proxy classes for use with DI implementations
  * Added ability to set preferences to object manager and specify them through configuration
* Refactored the following modules to utilize `Magento_Filesystem` library instead of using built-in PHP core functions directly: `Mage_Adminhtml`, `Mage_Backend`, `Mage_Backup`, `Mage_Captcha`, `Mage_Catalog`, `Mage_Cms`, `Mage_Connect`, `Mage_Core`, `Mage_Install`
* Bug fixes:
  * Fixed bug with incorrect order processing in `Mage_Authorizenet_Model_Directpost`
  * Fixed bug with unnecessary "loading" image on Category field during product editing in backend
  * Fixed bug in `Mage_Adminhtml_CustomerController` with error message during subscription to newsletter
  * Fixed bug in custom option template with incorrect import of custom option during product creation
  * Fixed JavaScript bug with image uploader control on product edit page on backend in IE9
  * Fixed bug with incorrect CSS directives in `app/code/core/Mage/Adminhtml/view/adminhtml/catalog.xml`
  * Replaced usages of Validation Prototype class with jQuery analog in modules `Manage Attributes Sets`, `Reports` and `Order`
  * Fixed bug with Javascript errors in "accordion" tabs and incorrect tab content during product creation.
  * Fixed XSS vulnerability in configurable product on backend product page
  * Fixed inability to update values in PayPal system configuration
  * Fixed "The command line is too long" error triggered by static code analysis CLI tools when the lists become too large
  * Fixed inability to create shipping label for DHL caused by wrong logo image path
  * Fixed inactive navigation menu item of "Import/Export Tax Rates" page