[Python-Dev] Re: Stability and change

[Barry A. Warsaw]

>>>>> "TP" == Tim Peters <tim.one@comcast.net> writes:

    TP> Don't think Linux is immune either.  Upgrading gcc or glibc
    TP> can "suddenly break" programs that used to work fine.  God has
    TP> a sense of humor about this, though: He usually arranges that
    TP> breakage show up first in obscure libm endcases <wink>.

Or upgrade a supposedly backwards compatible library, like, oh I
dunno, libz?

    >> ...  We're really touching on much deeper flaws in software
    >> development, with no good answers, IMO.

    TP> Indeed so!  Python's not the only thing that changes in
    TP> incompatible ways over time: *everything* does, including the
    TP> compilers, system libraries, system tools, and OS policies.

Heck, I wash my pillow and I can't sleep right for weeks.

    TP> For this reason, I suggest naming the hypothetical "forward
    TP> and backward compatible forever more" Python branch the
    TP> "Python Acrostics and Beekeeping" branch.

    TP> you-can't-spell-pablum-without-pab-ly y'rs - tim

Or how about the "Garth Releases" (named after character in Wayne's
World who utters the immortal truth "We fear change").

-Barry