[Python-Dev] Re: Stability and change

[Alex Martelli]

On Tuesday 09 April 2002 04:51 pm, Skip Montanaro wrote:
>     >> Over time people should become aware that odd-numbered minor
>     >> releases are always development releases and are not to be relied
>     >> upon.
>
>     Michael> In which case you might as well not release "odd-numbered
> minor Michael> releases" becuase 90+% of the people who would use them get
> Michael> Python from CVS anyway.
>
> You still need releases.  I'm advocating a completely different way of
> deciding when to release, however.  Instead of generating PEP 283 (Python
> 2.3 Release Schedule), the timing of when to split the experimental branch
> should be driven by completeness of the functional goals for that branch
> and the bug fix rate for that branch.  This is not a commercial enterprise.

I find this line of reasoning VERY convincing -- I hadn't thought of it
myself, but you make me wish I had:-).

>  I don't think there is a "market window" that has to be hit that should
> dictate, "we have to release 2.3 in mid-August, regardless of what else is
> going on."  When you have a time-driven schedule, I think there is a
> temptation to find "something new" to put into every release.

Well put!  Goal-driven releases, rather than time-driven ones, seem
important for both tracks, the stable and the experimental one.


Alex