James Patillo.

Code Versioning

by Dec 13, 2024Software Dev0 comments

Software version numbers typically follow a structured format that conveys information about the state, updates, and compatibility of the software. The most commonly used standard is Semantic Versioning (SemVer), though variations exist. Here’s an explanation of the standard:

Format

MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH (e.g., 1.2.3)

Components

  1. MAJOR Version (1 in 1.2.3):

    • Incremented when there are incompatible changes.
    • Reflects significant updates, such as changes to APIs, major feature overhauls, or breaking backward compatibility.
    • Example: A switch from 1.x to 2.0.0 indicates that users may need to adjust their usage to accommodate changes.

  2. MINOR Version (2 in 1.2.3):

    • Incremented when backward-compatible features are added.
    • Indicates enhancements or significant additions that do not disrupt existing functionality.
    • Example: Going from 1.2.3 to 1.3.0 adds features while remaining compatible with 1.x.

  3. PATCH Version (3 in 1.2.3):

    • Incremented for backward-compatible bug fixes.
    • Reflects maintenance updates or small corrections that do not add new functionality.
    • Example: Going from 1.2.3 to 1.2.4 fixes bugs while remaining compatible with 1.2.

Optional Additions

  • Pre-release Identifiers (e.g., 1.2.3-alpha.1, 1.2.3-beta):

    • Indicate development stages before a full release.
    • Common identifiers: alpha, beta, rc (release candidate).
    • Includes a sequence number for tracking iterations (alpha.1, alpha.2).

  • Build Metadata (e.g., 1.2.3+build20231213):

    • Provides additional information about the build, such as a timestamp or commit hash.
    • Does not affect version precedence.

Examples

  • 1.0.0: Initial stable release.
  • 1.2.0: Added new features while maintaining compatibility with 1.0.0.
  • 2.0.0: Major overhaul, potentially incompatible with 1.x.

Notes

  • Version precedence: Higher numbers take precedence, so 1.2.3 < 2.0.0, and 1.2.3-beta < 1.2.3.
  • Consistency is key: Follow the standard format across all releases for clarity and reliability.

Would you like examples of how specific projects use versioning, or additional information on other versioning systems?

Thanks ChatGPT!

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