minorversion

MinorVersion is a term used to describe the second component in a typical software version number, following MajorVersion. It signals backward-compatible changes such as new features, improvements, or enhancements that do not break existing APIs or behavior.

In semantic versioning, version numbers are usually written as Major.Minor.Patch. The MinorVersion is incremented when new functionality is added in a backward-compatible manner. For example, upgrading from 2.4.2 to 2.5.0 indicates additional features without introducing breaking changes, whereas a jump to 3.0.0 would suggest breaking changes.

The practical purpose of a MinorVersion is to help users, developers, and dependency management systems gauge compatibility and update risk. A higher minor number generally implies the ability to adopt the release without modifying dependent code, though new features may require awareness of new capabilities or behavior.

MinorVersion does not supersede MajorVersion; major changes that introduce incompatibilities require a MajorVersion bump. PatchVersion, when present, covers backward-compatible bug fixes and small maintenance updates, typically without adding new features.

Some versioning schemes extend to four-part numbers (Major.Minor.Build.Revision) or use alternative conventions. In such cases, the role of the minor component remains to indicate backward-compatible feature evolution, even if the exact interpretation varies by project.

Notes: Not all projects adhere to semantic versioning, and some ecosystems use different naming or structures for minor updates. Always consult project-specific documentation to understand how MinorVersion is defined in a given context.