i agree with Rohit. like he wrote already users can use snapshots / backups and normally you need to test before you make a final upgrade ;) Normally everyone should have an staging.
the important point always is the information that changes on the db was done and which changes. with this information normally an operation should handle the upgrade like each otherwise software. i am not generally against restrictions but i think its like what Rohit suggest a better way to find out the problems and fix the upgrade challanges or or problems than to move them. Cheers, Sven Vogel Apache CloudStack PMC member Am Mittwoch, den 05/21/2025 um 18:57 schrieb Rohit Yadav: It seems we're going in circles at this point. I can't support the proposal to limit DB updates in releases, as it feels overly restrictive. Users can follow best practices such as taking DB backups (or snapshots of their mgmt/db instances when virtualised) before upgrading, which allows for safe downgrades. Testing upgrades in staging environments has also been the common and recommended approach. I don't believe these practices need to change even with the proposed database-upgrade restrictions. I was under the impression that idempotent upgrade paths and MySQL routines had addressed most upgrade challenges. If issues remain, we should explore technical solutions rather than introduce broad restrictions. To my knowledge, we haven't seen any major upgrade blockers recently—most upgrades are already tested between releases via automation (BO/Trillian). If these are due to ACS fork-specific upgrade paths - those are beyond the scope of the Apache CloudStack community. I may be missing something, but I haven't yet seen compelling reasons to change my position. I encourage others—PMCs, committers, contributors, and users—to share their views. Regards. ________________________________ From: Daniel Augusto Veronezi Salvador Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 19:44 To: dev@cloudstack.apache.org Subject: Re: [Discussion] Versioning Hello all, Thanks for expanding the proposal, João. I believe your proposal embraces a big portion of the processes and use cases; however, there are some points I think we can improve to make changes more smoothly to the community and end-users. I will express them as counterpoints of Rohit's points, as they are related: > On breaking changes: we do communicate API changes (new APIs and any changess in API params) in release notes with https://docs.cloudstack.apache.org/en/latest/releasenotes/api-changes.html Yes, we do. However, we only add new APIs and parameters (and sometimes - rarely - change a parameter from required to optional); we do not deprecate/remove APIs and parameters. With time, our APIs and workflows get more complex and complicated due to the number of parameters we have to handle, making the changes more error-prone and features difficult to maintain. I believe the whole point is to discuss and document a proper way to do that and reduce the impact. Here follows an example of what I think we could do: In a case that we want to deprecate an API in favor of another existing API or a new API, we can announce the deprecation in a major version, guiding the users on how to migrate to the new API, and effectively deprecate the API in one or two releases after the deprecation, giving them time to validate if the new API is meeting what they were getting with the deprecated API. In a wider scope, we have a breaking change; however, it has a small impact. > but I'm not in favour of major disruptions that are against wider community interests. I agree, and I believe this fits what João pointed out in his message: after being properly discussed, agreed, and communicated to the public. > On feature removal: we already follow the give notice ahead of removal/deprecation for one or two releases before it gets removed. We had some cases where the removal/deprecation was not properly communicated; thus, I think the point here is to make the process clearer and more visible. > On versioning: I'm +1 to drop our version of 'semver' to fully move to our own versioning scheme by just dropping the "4." and keeping the rest as same. But we shouldn't mix LTS vs non-LTS guidenlines within this change. I'm also supportive if we want to do this starting 4.21 (call if 21.0.0) but also with 4.22 (call it 22.0.0). This also means we're in favour of no major disruptions around API/integrations in future. This would be counterproductive to what we are discussing. We need to have disruptions around API/integrations through time; however, doing it in a way that can cause the smallest impact possible, as I mentioned before. Furthermore, I believe the name of our versions is the least of our problems right now; we have to focus on the processes. > On database changes: I'm opposed to the proposal and I think this is not in anyone's interest. I would like to have DB changes (both data & schema) in both major and minor/security releases (using Joao's versioning example, both 22.0.0, 22.1.0 etc; or in 4.22.0.0, 4.22.1.0). I will disagree on this point. As João mentioned, users might have problems with a new MINOR version and want to roll back after noticing a problem days or weeks after the upgrade. In our current scenario, I see three options for the users: (i) restore the database backup before de upgrade and lose the data generated in the period; (ii) change the databases schemas and data in hope to make it compatible with the previous MINOR version; and (iii) wait for a new version that fixes the problem (which is not guaranteed to be the next version). I already faced that setback, and I am sure others have faced it as well; therefore, there is interest in changing this process. > I think only voting on versioning change would makes sense if it's limited to the cosmetic drop of "4.". For the first two (breaking changes & feature removal) we already have guidelines so these may be discussed on case-by-case basis (for example, dropping broken & unmaintained plugins may not even require any waiting period). As I mentioned before, I believe the name of our versions is the least of our problems right now; we have to focus on the processes. > I think we could re-think releases to make them more stable - I'll start a different discussion thread on that soon. I believe that is the point of this whole discussion. > Lastly, the big question remains irrespective of what we vote on and what guidelines get adopted — who's going to enforce them, ensure they are used and followed, and for how long? It is the PMC's responsibility to do so. Furthermore, every release has an RM (and sometimes a co-RM as well), which sometimes is a PMC member and sometimes a committer; the PMC could count on them to help on the task; however, it is the PMC's responsibility (not a single person, the PMC). Furthermore, this should also be more clearly documented. Best regards, Daniel Salvador (gutoveronezi) On 2025-05-21 03:35, Rohit Yadav wrote: > Here are my thoughts; > > > * > On breaking changes: we do communicate API changes (new APIs and any changess in API params) in release notes withhttps://docs.cloudstack.apache.org/en/latest/releasenotes/api-changes.html and but I'm not in favour of major disruptions that are against wider community interests. > * > On feature removal: we already follow the give notice ahead of removal/deprecation for one or two releases before it gets removed. > * > On versioning: I'm +1 to drop our version of 'semver' to fully move to our own versioning scheme by just dropping the "4." and keeping the rest as same. But we shouldn't mix LTS vs non-LTS guidenlines within this change. I'm also supportive if we want to do this starting 4.21 (call if 21.0.0) but also with 4.22 (call it 22.0.0). This also means we're in favour of no major disruptions around API/integrations in future. > * > On database changes: I'm opposed to the proposal and I think this is not in anyone's interest. I would like to have DB changes (both data & schema) in both major and minor/security releases (using Joao's versioning example, both 22.0.0, 22.1.0 etc; or in 4.22.0.0, 4.22.1.0). > > I think only voting on versioning change would makes sense if it's limited to the cosmetic drop of "4.". For the first two (breaking changes & feature removal) we already have guidelines so these may be discussed on case-by-case basis (for example, dropping broken & unmaintained plugins may not even require any waiting period). > > I think we could re-think releases to make them more stable - I'll start a different discussion thread on that soon. > > Lastly, the big question remains irrespective of what we vote on and what guidelines get adopted — who's going to enforce them, ensure they are used and followed, and for how long? > > Regards. > > > > ________________________________ > From: João Jandre > Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 22:22 > To:dev@cloudstack.apache.org > Subject: Re: [Discussion] Versioning > > Hello everyone, > > Is anyone against the proposed changes? I would encourage anyone that > has problems with what was proposed to discuss it so we can create > consensus on this. > > If no one disagrees with the changes until tomorrow I'll follow what I > wrote on my last email: I'll assume lazy consensus and create the vote > thread to formalize the changes. > > Best regards, > > João Jandre > > On 5/14/25 16:23, João Jandre wrote: >> Hello Rohit, and dev community, >> >> I'm sorry, but I do not understand your (Rohit) position. I have >> stated the reasons for my proposals and I have been waiting for the >> feedback of the community (including yours). >> >> Since it seems like you did not fully understand my proposals, I will >> try to make them clearer, in hopes you can either agree or debate with >> me. >> >> There are three major points that I would like to discuss, and since >> these points are intertwined, they should be discussed together. >> >> ### Breaking Changes >> >> No one likes to have their integration broken by an API change that >> broke backwards compatibility, even worse if the community did not >> very clearly communicate this change. Nonetheless, CloudStack is an >> evolving platform, with much development still being made; it is far >> from complete. Thus, it is natural for such a platform that it will >> have a few breaking changes in the future, or else it will die, >> suffocated by its own cocoon (read: restrictions). >> >> It is in this light that I would like to discuss a change to our >> current policy on API changes. Currently, on the one hand, we forbid >> "big" breaking changes, such as refactoring our APIs to be RESTful; on >> the other hand, we allow "small" breaking changes to be made, and will >> not necessarily communicate with users about it. However, I believe >> that changing both policies may be beneficial for the platform as a >> whole. My intention regarding breaking changes is: >> >> - Allow bigger refactoring and introduction of breaking changes; after >> being properly discussed, agreed, and communicated to the public. >> - Make "small" breaking changes clear to the community; after all, any >> breaking change should be properly discussed and announced, so users >> are aware and ready for it. >> >> ### Database Changes >> >> We often introduce many database schema changes in each version. It is >> done in our NON-SECURITY PATCH versions, but it is always done in our >> MINOR versions (here I'm using the definition given in our wiki [1]). >> I see this as a problem for users that might have problems with a new >> MINOR version and want to roll back after noticing a problem days or >> weeks after the upgrade, but now will suffer data loss since they must >> restore an old backup of the DB, as the DB might become incompatible >> between versions. >> >> I recognize that security patches that might need to change the DB >> schema shall not be stopped, and **I am not proposing we block >> these**, for obvious reasons. A sidenote here, I can't recall having >> such a case, could someone give me a link to a security patch when >> this has been already needed? If not, it seems a bit off to use this >> argument. >> >> Thus, what I am proposing is that we modify our DB change policies: >> >> - Regarding DB **schema** changes, these should be done only in MAJOR >> and SECURITY PATCH versions (only when/if needed). >> - Regarding DB **data** changes, these may be done in any version. >> >> ### Feature Removal >> >> We already have a great feature removal process. My only concern with >> it is that it does not specify that feature removal must be done in a >> specific type of version, and so technically it could be done even in >> a SECURITY PATCH version. Thus, my proposal for it is simple: >> >> - Specify, in the feature removal process, that a feature must be >> removed in a MAJOR version. After having been announced in a previous >> MAJOR or MINOR version, following the rest of the protocol already >> defined. >> >> ### Version naming >> >> I was really trying to separate this topic from the rest, as it is >> simply a consequence of the other three. However, since it seems like >> some really want to discuss it, I will give my opinion on it: >> >> I think that our version naming is silly, having version 4.X.Y.Z >> forever does not make sense. I think that going back into a X.Y.Z >> version naming (and thus going back to semver) is much more sensible. >> Thus, since I was not able to keep the community from discussing both >> topics together, I will propose the following: >> >> 1. Change our version naming pattern from >> ... to >> ... >> >> 2. Patch version MUST be incremented if **only bug fixes or security >> fixes** are introduced. A bug fix is defined as an internal change >> that fixes incorrect behavior. A security fix is defined as an >> internal change that fixes a CVE. >> >> 3. Minor version MUST be incremented if any functionality is marked as >> deprecated. It SHOULD be incremented if improvements are introduced >> within the code. It MAY include patch-level changes, as well as new DB >> data inserted by the system, or a new feature is introduced. Patch >> version MUST be reset to 0 when minor version is incremented. >> >> 4. Major version MUST be incremented if any backward-incompatible >> changes are introduced. It MAY also include minor and patch-level >> changes. Patch and minor versions MUST be reset to 0 when major >> version is incremented. >> >> Note that this is very, very inspired by semver [3] but I have changed >> some points to better fit the CloudStack reality and the community way >> of working. >> >> For this to work, we will have to either: >> - Drop one of the numbers of our version naming; >> - Start a new version naming; >> >> I am not a fan of restarting the version naming as it could bring a >> lot of confusion; thus, I would propose we drop one of the numbers of >> our version naming. Regarding which number, since our current MAJOR >> (the number 4) in our ...> PATCH> has never been changed, I would suggest we drop it, as no one >> has ever used it anyway. >> >> I propose that all of these changes take into effect after 4.21.0.0 is >> released. Thus, after 4.21.0.0, the next version should be 22.0.0. >> >> Regarding the LTS of our versions, I propose we keep it as it is >> currently. That is, MAJOR versions like 22.0.0, 23.0.0, etc., would be >> the LTS versions. And MINOR/PATCH versions should be used to add >> backward compatible features and fix bugs, respectively, in the LTS >> versions. Taking an example, 22.0.0 would be an LTS, where 20.0.x >> patches would be patches on top of the LTS; on the other hand, 22.y.z >> would not be an LTS. Therefore, we would not need to worry about apply >> patches to all 22.y branches/versions. Patches would only need to be >> maintained in the LTS, which means 22.0.x versions. >> >> Furthermore, I know that we try our best to do this, but we should >> create a policy that patches should be added to every LTS version >> which is affected by the issue. And backwards compatible features >> should follow the same policy. Again, no big change here, we are >> already basically working like this. >> >> Regarding the LTS of 4.21.x.x and 4.20.x.x, we shall keep it as it is, >> and their version naming should remain as the old one until they are >> out of LTS. All versions after 4.21.x.x will follow the >> MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH version naming. >> >> I hope this clarifies what I am going for. I am eager to hear back >> from the community. If no negative feedback is given within a week of >> this message I will assume lazy consensus and will start a new vote >> thread with these points up to vote. >> >> Best regards, >> >> João Jandre >> >> [1]:https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/CLOUDSTACK/LTS >> [2]: >> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=68720798 >> [3]:https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html >> >> On 5/14/25 03:48, Rohit Yadav wrote: >>> I've made my position clear, if there's no scope for further >>> discussion I'll add my vote. >>> >>> Thanks. >>> ________________________________ >>> From: João Jandre >>> Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 19:08 >>> To:dev@cloudstack.apache.org >>> Subject: Re: [Discussion] Versioning >>> >>> Hello Rohit, >>> >>> > I think we need to break out the topics and discuss them separately. >>> Personally I wouldn't be able to work & vote this weekend, but I can try >>> to participate during work days next week. We can vote again if >>> required, but I think voting isn't required if consensus is achieved. >>> >>> These topics are intertwined, I believe that discussing them separately >>> will hinder the discussions. Also, as we are changing a process that has >>> been followed for many years, voting is an important step to formalize >>> the changes. >>> >>> > On #1: I don't think we follow semver [1] strictly anymore. Our >>> versioning scheme is currently A.B.C.D (where D is for security, C is >>> maintenance/path; but B is considered a major release, A relates to API >>> backward compatibility). To give some historical context - the original >>> authors started with semver because they needed something to base >>> versioning scheme on and followed it b/w 4.0 and 4.5; then starting >>> security releases I think around 2016-2017 we introduced the security >>> patch created our own versioning scheme & DB upgrade paths mechanisms >>> around it. With LTS [1] guidelines adopted a few years back, we created >>> a way for us to support new hypervisor support delivered in >>> maintenance/minor releases which often have DB changes (adding guest os >>> mappings, capabilities etc.) and any core infra blockers. For the most >>> part - for marketing purposes, in events, conferences, announcements etc >>> we consider "A.B" as a major ACS release (for example, we say 4.21 is >>> the next major LTS release...), and we refer to A.B.C as a >>> maintenance/minor release. (for example 4.20.1.0, or 4.19.3.0). >>> >>> We do not follow strictly semver, as per the link you mentioned, >>> however, the same link specifies that the only change is the following: >>> >>> --- >>> ... where NON-SECURITY >>> PATCH is incremented for all bug fix releases except those addressing a >>> CVE. The SECURITY PATCH is only incremented for security releases that >>> fix one or more CVEs. >>> --- >>> >>> The rest should be semver. Also regarding the page you mentioned, it >>> specifies that the MAJOR would be our 4, as it is the first number; >>> therefore, we cannot consider "A.B" the MAJOR, as it is a MINOR. Again, >>> the community has not been following its own guidelines and it seems >>> that there are confusions regarding the versioning. **This is why we >>> must discuss and solidify our process**. >>> >>> > My view is, it's not in our community's best interest to introduce >>> severely disruptive changes (APIs for example) as we've built a momentum >>> of users, sub-projects and sister-projects that depend on CloudStack >>> (APIs). So, if we can accept that there will be never a major release >>> (from a semver PoV) disrupting the APIs, we can drop the "4." and call >>> the next set of releases 22, 23 etc. forking our version of "semver" >>> even further. If that's the extent of the proposal, I'm supportive of >>> that. >>> >>> > On a pedantic note, the proposed voting thread's subject is about >>> versioning process but it suggest that the proposer "will start another >>> thread regarding our version naming" - making it harder for community to >>> vote on something that's not well defined or proposed. >>> >>> It seems that two different topics are being mixed here, on one hand we >>> have the versiong process, on the other we have the naming. They do go >>> hand in hand, but they can be discussed separately, I see that you have >>> an interest in changing our version naming, I do not oppose that; >>> however, I'm interested in the versioning process, this is what this >>> thread is about and why I want to create a new thread for version naming >>> discussion. >>> >>> Regarding the disruptive changes, we have already been introducing these >>> types of changes, but as we have not been following a proper process, >>> these changes have been made to the MINOR release, and what is worse, a >>> lot of times users are not informed of such changes in advance. >>> >>> Here are a few example of disruptive changes: >>> -https://github.com/apache/cloudstack/pull/9518. Changed the default >>> connection pool library. This was not communicated to the community and >>> we have caught problems caused by this change, where we had to revert to >>> the old library. >>> -https://github.com/apache/cloudstack/pull/7131. Updated the log >>> library. This change was announced in the MLs (see >>> https://lists.apache.org/thread/wnh2d0r3dyphzmc0c6rytj2mbd21z2gs) and >>> was explicit on release notes for example, but I still feel like we >>> could've communicated a bit better about the change, for example >>> notifying the deprecation of log4j 1.29 in the previous version. In any >>> case, this is a disruptive change that was not made in a MAJOR version >>> as defined by semver. >>> -https://github.com/apache/cloudstack/pull/8609. JRE Upgrade, removed >>> support for EL7. Again, this was communicated in the release notes, but >>> as far as I know we did not notify the users of the deprecation EL7 in >>> the previous versions. >>> >>> > On #2: we already have a deprecation policy [1] which was led by >>> Rafael and we've used it already with quite a few deprecations; notably >>> the deprecation of legacy UI and introduction of the modern UI, where we >>> supported the legacy UI for two major releases until we removed it. >>> >>> We do. But it allows removing features on minor versions; thus, it does >>> not follow semver. >>> >>> > On #3: I don't think it's in our best interest to lose the >>> ability to >>> have DB changes (both data & schema) in maintenance/minor & security >>> releases. The LTS/hypervisor support is a good example and also >>> optimisations, critical/security issues examples we've delivered in past >>> maintenance releases that required DB changes (both data & schema). >>> >>> The exception for security changes has already been discussed and I >>> agree that it should remain an option to be used when necessary. >>> Regarding changing the database schema in minor versions, I believe it >>> is in the user's best interest to have such a guarantee; this way, >>> upgrading/downgrading from minor versions inside the same major would >>> pose no issues and could be done whenever needed. I think the cost of >>> waiting for the next major before having a possible optimization is >>> worth the cost of having a stable environment. Moreover, I am not >>> proposing to stop DB data changes (e.g. inserting/removing/altering >>> something in the database to normalize some inconsistency) in minor >>> versions, only schema changes. >>> >>> Best regards, >>> >>> João Jandre >>> >>> On 5/9/25 09:19, Rohit Yadav wrote: >>>> I think we need to break out the topics and discuss them separately. >>>> Personally I wouldn't be able to work & vote this weekend, but I can >>>> try to participate during work days next week. We can vote again if >>>> required, but I think voting isn't required if consensus is achieved. >>>> >>>> On #1: I don't think we follow semver [1] strictly anymore. Our >>>> versioning scheme is currently A.B.C.D (where D is for security, C >>>> is maintenance/path; but B is considered a major release, A relates >>>> to API backward compatibility). To give some historical context - >>>> the original authors started with semver because they needed >>>> something to base versioning scheme on and followed it b/w 4.0 and >>>> 4.5; then starting security releases I think around 2016-2017 we >>>> introduced the security patch created our own versioning scheme & DB >>>> upgrade paths mechanisms around it. With LTS [1] guidelines adopted >>>> a few years back, we created a way for us to support new hypervisor >>>> support delivered in maintenance/minor releases which often have DB >>>> changes (adding guest os mappings, capabilities etc.) and any core >>>> infra blockers. For the most part - for marketing purposes, in >>>> events, conferences, announcements etc we consider "A.B" as a major >>>> ACS release (for example, we say 4.21 is the next major LTS >>>> release...), and we refer to A.B.C as a maintenance/minor release. >>>> (for example 4.20.1.0, or 4.19.3.0). >>>> >>>> My view is, it's not in our community's best interest to introduce >>>> severely disruptive changes (APIs for example) as we've built a >>>> momentum of users, sub-projects and sister-projects that depend on >>>> CloudStack (APIs). So, if we can accept that there will be never a >>>> major release (from a semver PoV) disrupting the APIs, we can drop >>>> the "4." and call the next set of releases 22, 23 etc. forking our >>>> version of "semver" even further. If that's the extent of the >>>> proposal, I'm supportive of that. >>>> >>>> On a pedantic note, the proposed voting thread's subject is about >>>> versioning process but it suggest that the proposer "will start >>>> another thread regarding our version naming" - making it harder for >>>> community to vote on something that's not well defined or proposed. >>>> >>>> On #2: we already have a deprecation policy [1] which was led by >>>> Rafael and we've used it already with quite a few deprecations; >>>> notably the deprecation of legacy UI and introduction of the modern >>>> UI, where we supported the legacy UI for two major releases until we >>>> removed it. >>>> >>>> On #3: I don't think it's in our best interest to lose the ability >>>> to have DB changes (both data & schema) in maintenance/minor & >>>> security releases. The LTS/hypervisor support is a good example and >>>> also optimisations, critical/security issues examples we've >>>> delivered in past maintenance releases that required DB changes >>>> (both data & schema). >>>> >>>> [1]https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/CLOUDSTACK/LTS >>>> [2] >>>> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=68720798 >>>> >>>> Regards. >>>> >>>> >>>> ________________________________ >>>> From: João Jandre >>>> Sent: Friday, May 9, 2025 00:19 >>>> To:dev@cloudstack.apache.org >>>> Subject: Re: [Discussion] Versioning >>>> >>>> Hello, Rohit >>>> >>>> I'm very sorry to hear that your country is at war. Do you think >>>> that if >>>> we extend the voting to a full week, you can participate? >>>> >>>> Regarding your comments: >>>> >>>> 1. Semver is very specific on how the version naming should be; it >>>> should only contain three version numbers, not four. Furthermore, >>>> adding >>>> breaking changes on minor versions is very much not following semver. I >>>> would like to start using semver, but for this, we must change our >>>> current processes and practices. This is why this thread was created. >>>> >>>> 2. Regarding the deprecation, we have a process, but it allows removing >>>> features on minor versions; thus, it does not follow semver. >>>> >>>> 3. Regarding database changes, the proposal being voted is very clear >>>> that there might be exceptions for security changes that necessitate >>>> database schema changes. Regarding changing the database schema in >>>> minor >>>> versions, I believe it is in the user's best interest to have such a >>>> guarantee; this way, upgrading/downgrading from minor versions inside >>>> the same major would pose no issues to the DB. Moreover, we should not >>>> confuse DB schema changes with DB data changes (e.g. >>>> inserting/removing/altering something in the database to normalize some >>>> inconsistency) >>>> >>>> Best regards, >>>> João Jandre >>>> >>>> On 5/8/25 09:42, Rohit Yadav wrote: >>>>> Sorry all - I'm busy at work but want to chime in after considering >>>>> the thread (plus my country's at war atm). I need more time and I >>>>> wouldn't be able to vote within 72 hrs. >>>>> >>>>> On the face value - none of the three things needs voting on, we >>>>> already use the semver & have used deprecation process for >>>>> components already, and I don't think it's in community's best >>>>> interest to lose the ability to deliver database-changes in >>>>> maintenance/minor & security releases. >>>>> >>>>> Regards. >>>>> ________________________________ >>>>> From: João Jandre >>>>> Sent: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 22:40 >>>>> To:dev@cloudstack.apache.org >>>>> Subject: Re: [Discussion] Versioning >>>>> >>>>> Hi everyone, >>>>> >>>>> As it seems we have no objections to the proposed changes to our >>>>> versioning, I'll be starting a voting thread to vote on the changes to >>>>> the versioning process that were discussed on this thread. >>>>> >>>>> Once the first subject is decided (the process to follow and guide the >>>>> release process), I'll start another thread regarding the versioning >>>>> naming/pattern we will adopt. >>>>> >>>>> Please note that I'm proposing that these changes only take effect >>>>> **after** 4.21 is released. >>>>> >>>>> Best regards, >>>>> >>>>> João Jandre >>>>> >>>>> On 4/30/25 16:06, João Jandre wrote: >>>>>> Hi everyone, >>>>>> >>>>>> I would like to revisit the topic of versioning, particularly in >>>>>> light >>>>>> of our last discussion (see >>>>>> https://lists.apache.org/thread/hnzp6hnsjyj8593cf6tbgryt1s8z5glq). It >>>>>> seems that most people here agree with the idea of transitioning to a >>>>>> new major version (e.g., from 4.x to 5.0), or at the very least, are >>>>>> not opposed to it. >>>>>> >>>>>> However, I believe there are still some misunderstandings about the >>>>>> reasoning behind major version changes. The number itself is not that >>>>>> important; the key point is to establish a clear system for >>>>>> introducing changes that break backwards compatibility. As René >>>>>> pointed out, we currently do not have a formal mechanism for handling >>>>>> such changes. As a result, we frequently introduce breaking >>>>>> changes in >>>>>> minor releases, which means operators need to be aware that upgrading >>>>>> to a new minor version could potentially disrupt compatibility and >>>>>> make their lives more difficult when they need to roll back to a >>>>>> previous release after an upgrade (e.g. if a rollback is needed after >>>>>> a few days of an upgrade). >>>>>> >>>>>> A formal versioning strategy (defining what constitutes a major, >>>>>> minor, patch, and security release) would help improve the project’s >>>>>> stability. It would also allow us to plan major changes more >>>>>> effectively and communicate them clearly to the community. >>>>>> I am aware that there has been some hesitation about establishing a >>>>>> release schedule. To avoid further complications, I won’t suggest one >>>>>> here, at least not until we have automated the release process. >>>>>> >>>>>> With that in mind, I propose that we start adhering to the semantic >>>>>> versioning (semver) system that we have outlined in our documentation >>>>>> (https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/CLOUDSTACK/LTS and >>>>>> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/CLOUDSTACK/Release+principles+for+Apache+CloudStack+4.6+and+up). >>>>>> >>>>>> According to our current definitions, we have not had a true major >>>>>> release in over 10 years, even though we have introduced breaking >>>>>> changes in multiple minor releases during that time. >>>>>> >>>>>> To align with semantic versioning, I suggest the following changes to >>>>>> our versioning practices: >>>>>> - API Changes: Any changes to APIs that break backwards compatibility >>>>>> should only be made in major versions (e.g., 5.x.x, 6.x.x, etc.). >>>>>> - Database Schema: Changes to the database schema should also be >>>>>> introduced only in major versions. >>>>>> - Feature Removal: We need to update the process of feature removal >>>>>> (see >>>>>> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=68720798) >>>>>> >>>>>> to ensure that features are only removed in major versions, after >>>>>> having been announced in advance in a previous major version. >>>>>> >>>>>> If everyone agrees with this approach, we can begin following >>>>>> semantic >>>>>> versioning after the release of 4.21. This means we would elect a >>>>>> Release Manager for the next major as soon as 4.21 is out. If no one >>>>>> is interested in being the RM for the next major, I'll put myself >>>>>> forward to do it. Moreover, I would propose at least one major >>>>>> release >>>>>> per year, and I (and the folks on our side here) would be willing to >>>>>> put the effort into being the RM for these releases if needed. >>>>>> >>>>>> Regarding the next major naming (e.g., 5.0, 2025.0, 22.0, etc.) we >>>>>> can >>>>>> have a separate voting to decide on it. >>>>>> >>>>>> Looking forward to your thoughts and feedback. >>>>>> >>>>>> Best regards, >>>>>> João Jandre >>>>>> >>>> >>> > > >
