[Rpm-maint] [rpm-software-management/rpm] Changes to RPM version semantics and release cycle (Discussion #4193)

[Panu Matilainen]

The major version number has always meant the RPM package format it produces, but the minor and micro versions have been less clear, to say the least. In the 4.x series that ran over two decades, micro releases have mostly been "bugfixes and minor features", but pretty much anything could happen in a minor release. Sometimes major breakage. Especially the last few 4.x versions were pretty rough as we pushed for some foundational changes. It was painful for the users, and consequently for us developers as well. This idea has been maturing in my head for some time now, but various things just now to actually act on it: we're done breaking things. Pretty radical, ain't it? I'm sure that statement will come back to haunt us sooner or later, but there it is.

With RPM 6.x, we're moving to a different mindset and a clearer definition of the what the numbers mean:
- Major version indicates the RPM package format (so no change here)
- Minor releases
  - Contain new features and bugfixes
  - Do not break things
  - Happen more often (biannual or even quarterly, this remains to be seen)
  - Will not have a full alpha/beta cycle, just release candidates
- Micro releases are security and bugfixes only, if needed between minor releases

If that sounds vaguely familiar, it is indeed drawing some inspiration from the Linux kernel release model.

So this sort of cancels my previous announcement about 6.0.2 and 6.1 at https://github.com/rpm-software-management/rpm/discussions/4175: there will be a 6.1 in this quarter, preceded by a release candidate or two. And now I need to shuffle all those milestones back :laughing: The roadmap will need restructuring as well.

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