Harry Yates
I'm a web developer focused on TypeScript, React, and Three.js.
In software development, tracking changes and updates can be challenging. Semantic versioning can help.
By following a structured versioning system, developers can communicate changes effectively, ensuring compatibility and clarity.
Semantic versioning (SemVer) is a versioning scheme that uses a three-part number format: `MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH`. Each part of the version number signifies the scope and impact of changes:
- MAJOR version increments when you make incompatible API changes.
- MINOR version increments when you add functionality in a backwards-compatible manner.
- PATCH version increments when you make backwards-compatible bug fixes.
For instance, version `1.2.3` breaks down as follows:
- `1` (MAJOR): Incompatible changes
- `2` (MINOR): New features, no breaking changes
- `3` (PATCH): Bug fixes
Semantic versioning provides clear guidelines for version increments, which helps both the developers and the software users. It ensures:
- Clarity: Everyone understands the significance of each version.
- Compatibility: Users know what to expect in terms of API compatibility.
- Structure: Provides a consistent way to handle and communicate updates.
Git tags are a simple yet powerful way to manage and track your project versions. Let’s go through the steps to implement semantic versioning using Git tags.
1. Commit Your Changes:
After making changes, commit them with a descriptive message.
```bash
git commit -m "Add new feature to handle pets"
```
2. Tag the Version:
Use Git to create a new tag for the version.
```bash
git tag -a v1.0.0 -m "Initial release with pet handling feature"
```
3. Push the Tags to Remote:
Ensure your tags are pushed to the remote repository.
```bash
git push origin master --tags
```
If your project uses npm, you can automate versioning updates directly in `package.json`. For example, to increment the minor version:
```bash
npm version minor
```
This command updates the version in `package.json` and creates a corresponding Git tag.