[Python-Dev] Re: Stability and change

[Guido van Rossum]

> 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/)