Alex Gaynor • 10/7/2021

What's in a version number? (Or: Musings on backwards compatibility)

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This article explores the purpose and semantics of software version numbers, focusing on Semantic Versioning (SemVer). It discusses the ideal of safe updates within a major version and the real-world conflict with Hyrum's Law, where users depend on undocumented behaviors, making perfect backwards compatibility impossible even when SemVer is followed.

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#api design #backwards compatibility #semantic versioning
What's in a version number? (Or: Musings on backwards compatibility)

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