Introduction to Semantic Versioning (Semver)

Semantic Versioning, commonly referred to as Semver, is a versioning scheme for software that aims to make version numbers more meaningful and convey the potential impact of changes in a clear and concise manner.

In this article, we’ll explore what Semver is, how it works, and provide dozens of useful API explanations with code snippets to help you understand and implement Semver in your projects.

What is Semver?

Semver is a set of rules and requirements that dictate how version numbers are assigned and incremented. The format for a version number is MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH, where:

• MAJOR version increases when you make incompatible API changes.
• MINOR version increases when you add functionality in a backward-compatible manner.
• PATCH version increases when you make backward-compatible bug fixes.

Semver API Examples

Let’s dive into some real-world API examples that make use of Semver for versioning:

Example 1: Initial Development

0.1.0

During the initial development phase, you might start with a version like 0.1.0. The 0 indicates the software is in initial development and may be unstable.

Example 2: First Stable Release

1.0.0

Once you make your first stable release, you can bump the major version to 1.0.0. This signifies that the API is now stable and ready for production use.

Example 3: Adding New Features

1.1.0

If you add new features to your software in a backward-compatible manner, you would increment the minor version, resulting in 1.1.0.

Example 4: Bug Fixes

1.1.1

For backward-compatible bug fixes, you increment the patch version, such as 1.1.1.

App Example with Semver

Here’s an example of a Node.js application that implements Semantic Versioning:

package.json

{
  "name": "example-app",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "description": "An example app demonstrating Semver",
  "main": "index.js",
  "scripts": {
    "start": "node index.js"
  },
  "dependencies": {},
  "devDependencies": {}
}

In the package.json file, the version field specifies the current version of the app. This version number must follow the Semver format.

Using Semver in Your Workflow

To make the most of Semver, you can integrate it into your workflow with tools like Git and NPM. Here’s a quick example:

Bumping the Version

npm version patch

This command will increment the patch version and create a new Git tag. Similarly, you can use npm version minor and npm version major for minor and major versions, respectively.

Publishing Your Package

npm publish

After bumping the version, you can publish your package to the NPM registry using the npm publish command.

By following the principles of Semantic Versioning, you can ensure that your software’s version numbers convey meaningful information about the changes, making it easier for users and developers to manage dependencies and upgrades.

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