Semantic Versioning (SemVer) is a versioning scheme designed to bring clarity and meaning to version numbers in software development. It provides a systematic way to convey information about changes in a release, helping developers and users understand the impact of updating to a new version.
Basics of SemVer:
SemVer version numbers follow the format: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
. Let’s break down what each of these means:
- MAJOR version: Increased for incompatible API changes.
- MINOR version: Increased for backward-compatible new features or enhancements.
- PATCH version: Increased for backward-compatible bug fixes.
Additional Components:
- Pre-release versions (optional): Identified by appending a hyphen and a series of dot-separated identifiers. For example,
1.0.0-alpha.1
. - Build metadata (optional): Identified by appending a plus sign and a series of dot-separated identifiers following a hyphen or plus. For example,
1.0.0+20130313144700
.
Examples:
Example 1: A Basic Release
Let’s say you have a library, and you are releasing the first version:
Version: 1.0.0
This signifies that it’s the initial release without any breaking changes, new features, or bug fixes.
Example 2: Adding a Feature
You add a new feature to your library without breaking existing functionality:
Version: 1.1.0
This indicates a MINOR version increase.
Example 3: Fixing a Bug
You fix a bug without changing existing features:
Version: 1.1.1
This results in a PATCH version increase.
Example 4: Incompatible API Changes
You make changes that are not backward-compatible:
Version: 2.0.0
This requires a MAJOR version increase.
Example 5: Pre-release Version
You are working on a new feature, but it’s not stable yet:
Version: 2.0.0-alpha.1
This indicates a pre-release version of the upcoming MAJOR release.
Example 6: Including Build Metadata
You want to include build information in your version:
Version: 1.0.0+20130313144700
This might include the date and time of the build.
Best Practices:
- Follow SemVer strictly to provide clear versioning information.
- Clearly communicate changes in your release notes.
- Use tools that support SemVer for package management.
Conclusion:
Semantic Versioning is a valuable tool for developers and users to understand the implications of software updates. By following these guidelines and examples, you can ensure a consistent and meaningful versioning scheme for your software projects.