versionsnummer

Versionsnummer is a label used to identify a particular state of a software product, library, document, or data format, typically indicating release readiness and compatibility. It serves to track changes over time, coordinate development, and enable users and systems to determine whether they can rely on a given build or integration.

A version number usually follows a structured scheme. The most widely adopted in software is semantic versioning, expressed as MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH, often with pre-release and build metadata such as -alpha or +build. In semantic versioning, increasing MAJOR signals backward incompatible changes; increments of MINOR add backward compatible functionality; PATCH releases fix bugs. Pre-release identifiers indicate versions not yet considered stable.

Other schemes exist, such as date-based versions (for example YYYY.MM.DD), calendar versioning, or product-specific sequences. Packaging ecosystems (npm, Maven, Debian packages) encode version information to support dependency resolution and update checks, making the version number central to release management and reproducibility.

The term versionsnummer is the Germanic form of "version number" used in German- and Dutch-language contexts; in English, the term is usually "version number." Good practice includes clear, monotonic increasing numbering, consistent rules for pre-release and build metadata, and accompanying release notes to document changes.

In short, the versionsnummer communicates identity, scope, and compatibility of software releases, guiding installation, updates, and interoperability.