What is Semantic Versioning?
Semantic Versioning, often abbreviated as SemVer, is a versioning scheme for software that conveys meaning about the underlying changes with each new release.
Version Number Structure
Semantic Versioning typically follows the format MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH:
- MAJOR: Incremented for incompatible API changes.
- MINOR: Incremented for new features that are backward compatible.
- PATCH: Incremented for backward-compatible bug fixes.
Pre-release and Build Metadata
In addition to the basic format, SemVer allows for optional pre-release labels and build metadata:
- Pre-release versions can be denoted by appending
-alpha,-beta, or similar identifiers. - Build metadata can be added after a
+sign.
Importance in DevOps
In the context of DevOps and version control systems, semantic versioning enhances collaboration among developers and teams. By clearly indicating the nature of changes, it helps in dependency management, ensuring that applications are compatible and reducing the risk of broken functionality.
Conclusion
Overall, Semantic Versioning is a crucial practice in software development, promoting clarity and understanding of project evolution.