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RELEASE.DOC
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Text File
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1994-06-12
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5KB
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92 lines
Release Information For Blue Bay Software
─────────────────────────────────────────
The following information applies to all Blue Bay Software releases,
documentation files and, if not distributed separately, data files.
Version Number Conventions
──────────────────────────
EXE and COM files will follow these 4 conventions in regards to version
numbers:
1) The major number (left of the decimal point) will denote an addition to
an existing piece of software that is easily visible to the user.
For example, the addition of a new menu item in a program will warrant a
release with a new major number.
2) The minor number (first number to the right of the decimal point) will
denote a change to the existing piece of software, either to fix
programming errors (bugs) or to enhance performance. Either way, the
changes to the software will generally not be visible to the user.
For example, if a program crashes under certain conditions, a new minor
number will be added and the program re-released. After 10 minor number
changes (0-9), software will be released with a new major number since
it obviously needed a major overhaul!
3) The micro number (second number to the right or a decimal point) will
denote a change in the software that will not be visible to the user and
will not change the execution of the program. This will usually be a
cosmetic change such as a change in colours, fonts, etc.
4) The preceeding three numbers will be released sequentially; that is, 2
after 1, 3 after 2, and so on. A 'ß' (beta) will follow releases that
have been tested very little before they were compiled.
2.34
^ ^^
| ||
| | \
| | 4 is the micro number
| \
| 3 is the minor number
\
2 is the major number
Why should you care?
To anyone who's had to put up with tonnes of releases by software authors on
BBSs, you will know that sometimes it's just not worth your time downloading
every new release. I have therefore taken the time to set up some system for
Blue Bay Software whereby you will know which software releases are of
interest to you. For example, if you want only software with new options, you
will wait for releases with a new major version. If you are having trouble
running the software due to run-time errors, you may wish to download
versions with with a new minor version. If you like purely cosmetic changes
in your software, a new micro version release may be for you. And finally,
if you enjoy running 'risky' software and seeing where it takes you, beta
versions are the thing for you.
Essentially, it's to make your life a little easier.
Version Numbers For Data Files
──────────────────────────────
If I take the time to release data files separately, it is usually because
they have to be updated every so often. It is this fact that makes the
version number on a datafile somewhat different.
A version number on a datafile will read like this : 12/25/94 : 1.02
The 12/25/94 is, as you may have guessed, the date of the release of the
datafile (December 25, 1994 in this case). It is followed by a semi-colon and
a release number. This release number tells you that this data file will work
properly on version 1.02 and up of the associated program. The reason that
this portion is added is because sometimes, as a result of additions to a
piece of software, the data structure of the data files will change as well,
and may cause problems if used with earlier versions of the software.
BBS Users
─────────
For those of you who obtained this software/data file from a BBS, you will
find this helpful next time you're searching through files on your local
BBS.
In every FILE_ID.DIZ and DESC.SDI file included with software/data files,
a line may be found that reads something like:
.:BLUE BAY - DATA
or
.:BLUE BAY - SOFTWARE
When conducting a file description search on the BBS, use one of the
preceeding as a search string. The DATA can be found on all Blue Bay Data
file descriptions, and the SOFTWARE can be found on all releases of Blue Bay
Software (as long as the FILE_ID.DIZ and DESC.SDI files were not tampered
with!). This being a distinctive 'calling card', so to speak, you should
find only Blue Bay products. This will speed up your online sessions quite a
bit by filtering out all files except those you seek.