Referenzversion

Referenzversion is a term used to describe the state of a product, document, dataset, or other artifact that is designated as the authoritative baseline for comparison, validation, and reproducibility. It represents a stable, approved snapshot that serves as the main point of reference for subsequent work or evaluation. The concept is widely used in IT, publishing, and data management to ensure consistency over time.

In software development, the Referenzversion is typically the stable baseline from which other builds and features are derived. It is often marked in a version control system with a tag or label and used for testing, regression checks, and compatibility verification. Releases, documentation, and automated processes reference this canonical version to maintain coherence across environments and teams. The Referenzversion is sometimes equated with terms like baseline, golden master, or canonical version.

In publishing, standards, and technical documentation, a Referenzversion designates the authoritative edition or text that serves as the reference point for citations, translations, or compliance checks. Later revisions may exist, but the Referenzversion remains the standard against which changes are measured or validated.

In research and data management, Referenzversion supports reproducibility by freezing datasets, scripts, and parameters at a particular moment. Researchers and practitioners can reproduce results and verify analyses by using the same reference snapshot.

Overall, the Referenzversion functions as the official, stable point of reference that enables consistency, validation, and reproducibility across processes and domains.