Re: [boost] on boost version numbers

From: Martin Wille (mw8329_at_[hidden])
Date: 2005-12-06 13:21:47

Stefan Seefeld wrote:
> Hi there,
> 
> now that the 1.33.1 release is out, I'd like to bring up again a topic that
> was discussed (or at least, touched) previously.
> 
> I see two issues with the current release numbering scheme:
> 
> 1) What is currently the major version number appears to have lost all its
>     meaning. Why isn't it dropped, making the next release '34' instead of '1.34' ?

I agree, the use of the "1." is questionable. However, we could reserve 
2.x.y for a version of Boost that does not contain any workarounds for 
ancient, non-conforming compilers, or for a similar clean-cut scenario.

> 2) As was previously stated here, there is no attempt to make versions x.y.z
>     and x.y.(z+1) binary compatible. From a user's perspective there is therefor
>     no difference between version y.(z+1) and (y+1), neither in terms of features,
>     nor in terms of time between releases.
>     I therefor suggest to drop the last component, too. Releases therefor become
>     simply a simple sequence 34, 35, ...
>     This obviously doensn't have any impact on any branching policies, or release
>     planning. It only affects the user's perception of releases and how they relate
>     to each other.

A user needs to have an indication of the branch. Even if it isn't ABI 
compatible, it still is (at least supposed to be) API compatible. There 
could be a reason to release  1.y.1 after 1.y+1.0 was released..

Regards,
m
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