AppVersion

APPVERSION is a label used to identify a specific release of an application. It functions as a stable reference point for users, developers, and deployment systems, enabling version-aware updates, compatibility checks, and support workflows.

Versioning schemes vary. The most common is semantic versioning, using Major.Minor.Patch (for example, 3.2.1). Additional metadata may appear as pre-release tags (alpha, beta) or build metadata, such as 3.2.1-beta.2+20240501. Some projects use CalVer, which ties versions to the release date, such as 2024.12.29. APPVERSION may be derived from source control tags, build pipelines, or manual release processes to reflect the intended release state.

In software projects, APPVERSION is often represented as a constant in code, an environment variable injected at build time, or stored in a manifest or package file. It is used to tag distributed artifacts (binaries, containers, installers), to drive update checks, and to convey compatibility information to users and systems.

Best practices emphasize a clear policy: version numbers should monotonically increase and be aligned with a change policy. Major versions signal breaking changes, minor versions add functionality in a backward-compatible way, and patches fix defects without new features. Documentation of changes and consistent application across all components are important to avoid confusion.

Understanding APPVERSION and its scheme is central to software release management and deployment automation.