namespaces, versioning, and backward compatibility

From
Anne Hendry
Date
2011-04-04T15:29:00+00:00
ID
Thread
namespaces, versioning, and backward compatibility
Hi Jeremy,  Yes, I think using the built-in attribute is very straightforward and  easy to maintain.  The aspect of using minor/major version numbers that has the most draw  for me is that the format has recognizable meaning since it is used in  most software versioning which should be familiar to people working with  the standard schemas.  You can tell right away if you are looking at a  major version (3.0) which may break compatibility, or a minor version  that has a stable base (2.3.1).  How often have you made decisions on  what to download just looking at those numbers?  I know I do that all  the time.  The recognition is instantaneous.  You can make decisions  based on that immediate understanding.  It makes it easier, and more  clear, for our eventual implementors and for end users as well.  No need  to delve into the release first -- there is some immediate intelligence  in the format and meaning of the numbers that is well understood in the  software world.  I also believe that it would make it easier to automate checking (say in  a tool or an application) on whether you are looking at a  backward-compatible version or not.  -Anne  Jeremy Roberts wrote, On 4/4/2011 7:06 AM:
> Hello, Anne: >
> I think this is a great idea. I always hate invoking hindsight in a
> bandage manner; this is forward thinking. The "version" attribute isa
> part of "xs:schema" so I think we should use it (it's free and easy). >
> Cheers, > - Jeremy > > > >