productversion

Productversion is the label that identifies a specific state of a product, such as software, firmware, or hardware, at the time it is released. It enables traceability, compatibility checking, and coordinated updates by distinguishing one release from another. A product version is typically distinct from internal build numbers and from marketing names or edition labels; it is the version used by systems to manage installation, updates, and support.

Common version formats include semantic versioning: major.minor.patch, with optional prerelease and build metadata. Other schemes include calendar versioning (for example, 2024.4.1) or simple sequential integers. The choice of scheme affects how users and tools interpret changes and how dependencies are resolved in software ecosystems.

Versioning is embedded in packaging, deployment, and asset catalogs. It allows automated tools to determine whether an update is available, whether it is compatible, and what kind of changes it brings (features, fixes, or breaking changes). It also supports rollback, support contracts, and troubleshooting by providing a clear reference point.

Governance of product versions often follows a policy: adhere to a versioning scheme (such as SemVer); increment rules where breaking changes require a major version increase, backward-compatible features require a minor increase, and fixes or small improvements require a patch increase. Release notes or changelogs accompany each version to document changes and impact.

In many ecosystems, productversion is stored in metadata files or repository tags and is exposed to users through installers, APIs, or documentation. Consistency across systems is important to avoid confusion and ensure reliable updates and compatibility.