Hi people. Ferenc and I, actual RM of 5.5 and 5.6 , were discussing the calendar today on IRC.
Let's start with facts : - We release new PHP versions (major or minor) on summer. Usually, if we can have it end of June, it is good. - We may delay that, 5.6 got released end of summer : in september. It is bad, but acceptable. - We always have, from our release process, *2 active versions at the same time + 1 sec fix version*. Not more, not less. If we release during summer, that means we need to prepare everything around Christmas. Tip : Christmax is approaching :-) So the main question is : *What version will we release next year ?* Will we have a PHP 5.7, or jump directly to a 7.0 ? Don't forget, that if we go for a 5.7 , then we won't have a 7.0 at least one year later. If not : we'll happen having 3 active versions (5.6 , 5.7 and 7.0) and one sec-fix only (5.5) , *this is something we don't want* , because we have the feeling that it is too much pain to maintain so many versions alive. - If we go for 7.0 : I wouldn't mind delaying its release to November(2015) if needed, its a major, extra care should be taken. However, not later : our release process status for 2 years of active life , if 7.0 were to be released in 2016, then we'd have 5.5 lasting for much more than 2 years active. - If we go for 5.7 : We could release it this summer (2015) , but that would mean that 7.0 wouldn't come before summer 2016. Releasing a 5.7 will lean the release cycle curve, but it is not mandatory, that should be debatted. Decisions should be taken now : aka in 2014. Taking decisions later than this will lead to a rush in release process, wich is very bug/error prone, and should be prevented. Thank you. Julien.Pauli
