+# verify valid release type
+RTYPE="$1"
+if [ "$RTYPE" != "major" -a "$RTYPE" != "minor" -a "$RTYPE" != "patch" ]; then
+ report_err "release type must be major, minor, or patch"
+fi
+
+# verify git is available
+if ! type git >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+ report_err "unable to find 'git' in the system path"
+fi
+
+# verify the git repository is on the master branch
+BRANCH=$(git branch | grep '\*' | cut -c3-)
+if [ "$BRANCH" != "master" ]; then
+ report_err "git repository must be on the master branch"