Adopting a versioning scheme is crucial for maintaining and managing software effectively. Versioning helps keep track of changes, facilitate collaboration, and ensure compatibility.
A commonly used versioning scheme is Semantic Versioning (SemVer). Here’s a brief guide on how to implement it and what it entails: Semantic Versioning (SemVer)Semantic Versioning uses a three-part version number format: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH.
1. **MAJOR**: Incremented for incompatible changes or significant features that break backward compatibility.
– **Example**: Changing the API endpoint or removing a function.
2. **MINOR**: Incremented when you add new features in a backward-compatible manner.
– **Example**: Adding a new method or functionality that doesn’t affect existing features.
3. **PATCH**: Incremented for backward-compatible bug fixes.
– **Example**: Fixing a bug that does not change the API’s functionality.
### Additional Labels
In addition to the MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH format, you can also use additional labels for pre-release and build metadata:
– **Pre-release version**: Adds a hyphen and identifies a version that is still in development or testing (e.g., `1.0.0-alpha`, `1.0.0-beta.1`).
– **Build metadata**: Adds a plus sign and additional information about the build (e.g., `1.0.0+20130313144700`).
### Guidelines
1. **Start at 1.0.0**: Begin your project with version 1.0.0 when it is considered stable.
2. **Pre-release versions**: Use pre-release identifiers for versions that are not fully stable. Avoid releasing a version as stable (1.0.0) until it is thoroughly tested.
3. **Consistency**: Always follow the versioning scheme consistently throughout the project lifecycle.
4. **Documentation**: Keep release notes or a changelog to document what has changed in each version.
5. **Version constraints**: When specifying dependencies in a project, it’s good practice to define version constraints to avoid breaking changes.
### Example
Here’s how versioning might look over time:
– **1.0.0**: Initial stable release.
– **1.1.0**: New feature added (backward compatible).
– **1.1.1**: Bug fix for a minor issue found.
– **1.2.0**: Another feature added (backward compatible).
– **2.0.0**: Major changes introduced that break backward compatibility.
– **2.0.0-alpha**: Early development version leading up to stable 2.0.0.
### Conclusion
Implementing a versioning scheme like Semantic Versioning will enhance clarity and communication among team members and users. It allows for better planning and management of updates or changes to your software, ensuring everyone is aware of the state and stability of the project.
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