How to define a version number.?

Question

I always see like in... lets say phpBB v2.3.5.6 or whatever, or the iPhone 1.1.3. My question is, how are these version numbers defined? Cause they're is beta, beta 3? revision 4, what do all these things mean?

Answer 1

The VRM number (for version - release - maintenance) usually represents different degrees of changes to the software. Versions are major changes, very often with completely new architecture underneath. A Release usually has some new features, but is not a completely new product. Maintenance numbers represent bug fixes (and possibly some minor new features). If there is a fourth number, it can be a patch level or build, which should help identify more precisely when the code was compiled/built/packaged.



The 'beta' designation means the company has done it's internal (or 'alpha') testing, and is ready for a broader set of tests to be done, but the software may still be changed as a result. These days beta testing is often done by members of the public. That allows a wider range of configurations to be tested without having to try to recreate them all in the lab.



Keep in mind that these designations are all subject to marketing decisions. If a company decides that it's Widget 2.0.0 product doesn't sound so cool next to the competitor's UltraFoo 9.0, they may bump the version number up to achieve parity.

Answer 2

Well, it depends on the software manufacture.



Version 1.2.3.4



Would be like 1 is the first release

2 would be something on the line of security updates or major updates



3 would be semi major/minor updates



4 would be very small updates like a patch

Answer 3

They're just updates.