[Python-Dev] Proto-PEP for maintaining backward compatibility

[Neal Norwitz]

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Since the subject has come up several times recently,
and some one (Walter?) suggested a PEP be written....here goes.

Attached is a draft PEP.  Comments?

Neal
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PEP: XXX
Title: Backward Compatibility for Standard Library
Version: $Revision:$
Last-Modified: $Date:$
Author: neal@metaslash.com (Neal Norwitz)
Status: Draft
Type: Informational
Created: 06-Jun-2002
Post-History:
Python-Version: 2.3


Abstract

    This PEP describes the packages and modules in the standard
    library which should remain backward compatible with previous
    versions of Python.


Rationale

    Authors have various reasons why packages and modules should
    continue to work with previous versions of Python.  In order to
    maintain backward compatibility for these modules while moving the
    rest of the standard library forward, it is necessary to know
    which modules can be modified and which should use old and
    possibly deprecated features.

    Generally, authors should attempt to keep changes backward
    compatible with the previous released version of Python in order
    to make bug fixes easier to backport.


Backward Compatible Packages & Modules

    Package/Module     Maintainer(s)          Python Version
    --------------     -------------          --------------
    distutils          Andrew Kuchling             1.5.2
    email              Barry Warsaw                2.1
    sre                Fredrik Lundh               1.5.2
    xml (PyXML)        Martin v. Loewis            2.0


Copyright

    This document has been placed in the public domain.



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