Section: IT & Technology · Software DevelopmentDifficulty: Easy

Semantic Versioning

USUK

A versioning scheme using MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH numbers to communicate change impact.

Also: SemVer

Definition

Semantic versioning (SemVer) is a specification for version numbers in the format MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH, where MAJOR increments for incompatible API changes, MINOR for backward-compatible new features, and PATCH for backward-compatible bug fixes. This convention allows developers and dependency managers to understand the risk level of updating a package. Pre-release versions append identifiers like -alpha or -beta, and build metadata uses the + separator.

Example

“Upgrading a library from version 2.3.1 to 2.4.0 indicates new features were added while remaining backward compatible, whereas a jump to 3.0.0 signals breaking API changes.”

Synonyms

  • SemVer
  • version numbering
  • version scheme

Antonyms / Opposites

  • random versioning
  • date-based versioning

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Related Terms

  • api
  • git
  • cicd
  • dependency-injection

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