patchversions

patchversions refers to a convention for numbering software releases, specifically the third number in a common three-part versioning scheme like X.Y.Z. In this scheme, X represents a major version, Y represents a minor version, and Z represents the patch version. The patch version is incremented when a software update contains only bug fixes, security patches, or minor performance improvements that do not introduce new features or break backward compatibility. This type of release is often considered the least disruptive to existing users. For example, if a software is at version 1.2.3 and a bug is fixed, it might be updated to 1.2.4. The patch version is typically reset to zero when a minor version is released, and the minor version is reset to zero when a major version is released. This structured approach allows users and developers to quickly understand the nature of a software update without needing to delve into detailed release notes for every change. It is a widely adopted practice in software development for managing and communicating software updates effectively.