[Python-Dev] Official version support statement (original) (raw)

Stephen J. Turnbull stephen at xemacs.org
Sat May 12 06:14:13 CEST 2007

"Martin v. Löwis" writes:

However, I would prefer to not use the verb "support" at all. We (the PSF) don't provide any technical support for any version ever released: '''PSF is making Python available to Licensee on an "AS IS" basis. PSF MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES [...].'''

Of course the PSF provides excellent technical support; you just don't acknowledge any obligation to do it. A declaration of support is not a warranty, of course. So I see no problem with using the word "support". You may wish to clarify with terms like "resources available".

Why do you need such a statement?

Because it expresses what IMO actually happens clearly, and clarifies the intent of the PSF to continue in the same way. This is useful to users making decisions, even though the PSF owns few to none of the resources needed. The generosity of the contributors and their loyalty to Python and to each other practically guarantees availability.

Python can dispose of a raft of bugs present only in the older versions with WONTFIX at release of a new stable version (after double-checking that they don't exist in the stable version). Developers can respond to reports of bugs in the immediate past version with "I'm sorry, but we try to concentrate our limited resources on supporting the current version, and it is unlikely that it will be fixed. Please post to c.l.p for help." Users are disappointed, but it builds trust, and more so if supported by an official statement.

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