python - How to set up a staging environment on Google App Engine

Question

Having properly configured a Development server and a Production server, I would like to set up a Staging environment on Google App Engine useful to test new developed versions live before deploying them to production.

I know two different approaches:

A. The first option is by modifying the app.yaml version parameter.

version: app-staging

What I don't like of this approach is that Production data is polluted with my staging tests because (correct me if I'm wrong):

1. Staging version and Production version share the same Datastore
2. Staging version and Production version share the same logs

_{Regarding the first point, I don't know if it could be "fixed" using the new namespaces python API.}

B. The second option is by modifying the app.yaml application parameter

application: foonamestaging

with this approach, I would create a second application totally independent from the Production version.
The only drawback I see is that I'm forced to configure a second application (administrators set up).
With a backup estore tool like Gaebar this solution works well too.

What kind of approach are you using to set up a staging environment for your web application?
Also, do you have any automated script to change the yaml before deploying?

Answer 1

Waitting for answers