[Numpy-discussion] Removing datetime support for 1.4.x series ?

[Travis Oliphant]

On Feb 4, 2010, at 1:51 PM, Gael Varoquaux wrote:

> I'd like to say that I am +1 with everything that has been said  
> against
> breakage.

This isn't the question at hand anymore.   The only question at hand  
is what to label the no ABI breaking release.

I actually feel pretty strongly that the version should be 1.3.9 and  
we should just admit that 1.4 series broke the ABI.  We didn't mean  
for it to happen, but it did.

Then, people can stay with 1.3.9 if they want and those that are  
comfortable with ABI breakage can use 1.4.1 and beyond.   My timetable  
is:

* We release 1.3.9 within days
* We release 1.4.1 within a few weeks that keeps the datetime ABI  
change and adds additional pent-up ABI changes.

Bringing in the Py3K transition discussion at this point is not  
necessary, but I think the 1.5 release in May provides improvements to  
the Py3K layer and sets up people who want to work on it over the  
summer.

I have not heard any good arguments, yet, against calling the the ABI  
compatible release 1.3.9    And what Chris said is important to  
repeat:  I have never supported nor endorsed breaking the ABI at every  
possible chance.   In fact, my behavior has been the opposite.  As far  
as I am aware (and I'm sure Robert will point out any hole in my  
awareness), the history of NumPy has been zero ABI breakage since 1.0  
(that is over 3 years ago).

I do hear the majority saying "we need an ABI-compatible release" and  
I agree that it should happen ASAP.   What to call it is less clear,  
so I want to be very clear that I feel pretty strongly that it should  
be called 1.3.9.

-Travis