patchnumber

A patchnumber, in software development, is a numeric identifier assigned to a patch or update of a software product. It is used to track a sequence of fixes and improvements and to communicate the level of change relative to previous releases. Patchnumbers help developers, testers, and users distinguish between builds and ensure compatibility across components.

In common versioning schemes, the patch component appears as part of a semantic version, traditionally MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH. The patch component usually increases when backward-compatible bug fixes, small refinements, or minor security patches are released, while increasing the minor or major components indicates larger changes or new functionality. Some projects use a separate patchlevel or build number in addition to the public version string.

Patchnumbers appear in different formats depending on the ecosystem. Package managers may append a patch or revision to a package's version (for example, 1.2.3-4 in Debian-derived systems). Some software distributions use build numbers that increment with each build. In other contexts, patch references include identifiers such as patch version, patch ID, or patchlevel.

Patch numbering is not standardized across all projects; some use commit counts, dates, or a combination. Maintaining a clear changelog and release notes helps users understand the impact of a patch. Patch numbers play a role in dependency resolution, patch management, and rollback procedures.

In summary, patchnumbers are practical identifiers used to manage software maintenance cycles and communicate the scope of individual updates.