Several ways to version software.
Posted on :: Updated on :: Tags: version, semver, calver

Several ways to version software

As developers, we know several ways to version software. Let's review them and also find some examples through well-known software.

Constant version 🟰

It never changes.

It's "practical": we don't need to know which version to use... but it's also risky, YOLO!

Example: Docker tag latest.

Incremental version ±

It changes regularly, for example by incrementing by 1 for each new version.

Safe and easy.

Examples: Java 25, 26 etc.

Version by identifier #️⃣

It can consist of a Git commit identifier (SHA-1 hash), a UUID type identifier, etc.

Safe, it allows for an "infinity" of versions.

Example: Git commit a3f9c2e.

Semantic versioning 🤓

AKA semantic versioning or semver.

It introduces the concepts of:

  • major version: non-backward compatible change
  • minor version: backward compatible evolution
  • patch version: bug fixes
  • development phase: alpha, beta, release candidate, release etc.

Essential for a library, less obvious for an application. It is precise, but therefore requires rigor and is more fragile.

Examples:

  • Jackson 2.20.1: the first patch of minor version 20 of major version 2
  • Jackson 3.0.1: the first patch of minor version 0 of major version 3 (which is not backward compatible with major version 2)

Anecdote: "the joys" of npm version range: semver.npmjs.com 😅

Calendar versioning 🗓️

AKA calver.

Corresponds to a year, a version within the year, a month in the year etc.

Examples:

  • IntelliJ IDEA 2025.1: first version of the year 2025
  • Ubuntu 24.04: version released in April 2024

Semi-random names 🎲

Corresponds to a random name generated from a dictionary.

Practical for us humans (😊).

Example: Docker container named sad_tesla.

See Docker documentation (source code).

"Summary" 💡

Let's review some of these version types using a single *nix command:

# List all applications installed on my Mac via Homebrew 🍺
brew list --versions

ca-certificates 2025-12-02
cargo-audit 0.22.0
clj-kondo 2025.10.23
cowsay 3.8.4
gist 6.0.0
gitlogue 0.6.0
mas 4.1.0
openssl@3 3.6.0
trash 0.9.2
calibre 8.16.2
firefox 82.0.3
firefox@nightly latest
ghostty 1.0.1
gimp 3.0.6
google-chrome 137.0.7151.56
grandperspective 3.6
handy 0.6.8
iterm2 3.4.8
jetbrains-toolbox 1.24,1.24.12080
keepingyouawake 1.6.8
kobo latest
libreoffice 25.8.3
molotov 7.0.0
openemu 2.3.3
podman-desktop 1.15.0
postman 9.5.0
rectangle 0.41,46
slack 4.11.3
sublime-text 4169
textmate 2.0.23
visual-studio-code 1.27.2,f46c4c469d6e6d8c46f268d1553c5dc4b475840f
vlc 3.0.0
warp