[Python-Dev] Re: Stability and change (original) (raw)

Barry A. Warsaw barry@zope.com
Mon, 8 Apr 2002 13:45:44 -0400

"GvR" == Guido van Rossum <guido@python.org> writes:

GvR> All the Python developers need to do is decide on a point
GvR> where they won't allow incompatible changes to new features
GvR> between micro releases.  Currently that point is the release
GvR> of the "final" release of a minor version (e.g. 2.2).  I can
GvR> see that point shifting to a later micro release for future
GvR> minor releases, so that e.g. 2.3, 2.3.1 up to 2.3.7 may
GvR> contain incompatible features, but 2.3.8 and later must be
GvR> compatible with 2.3.7.

Maybe I misunderstand, but it makes me really nervous that micro releases would have internal incompatibilities (I'm not talking about those related to fixed bugs in earlier micros).

One that I've noticed is that many, many people simply do not understand the concept of a micro release. I can't tell you how many questions I get that ask about Mailman 2.08 (sic). We saw some of this when Python 1.5.2 ("Python 1.52") was out.

I'd dread having to explain to people "this is compatible with Python Python 2.4.2 but not anything earlier than 2.4.1 unless you're on the 2.3.x branch and then 2.3.7 is okay, but not 2.3.6 or earlier."

-Barry