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

Guido van Rossum guido@python.org
Mon, 08 Apr 2002 14:02:07 -0400

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).

Yes, you would, given that you're the most fear-changing PythonLabber.

My proposal was to allow this only as long as the corresponding minor release was still clearly labeled as EXPERIMENTAL.

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.

Well, as long as they only suppress the punctiuation, it's OK.

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."

Yes, you would have to say that, since you like to release software that is on the absolute bleeding edge of the standard libraries or language features. :-)

--Guido van Rossum (home page: http://www.python.org/~guido/)