Product Version Support Definitions Each CodeGear product release can be categorized as a specific Release Type, which progresses through Lifecycle Periods at explicit Release Milestones
Release Types:
Major Release
Major new features, architecture changes, product components Naming convention: X.0 (may also have marketing name that uses the year or other convention)
Minor Release
May include significant new features beyond previous minor/major version Full, standalone product build Naming convention: X.Y (may also have marketing name that uses the year or other convention like R2 or R3)
Maintenance Release
May include previously released Service Packs and other fixes Full, standalone product build Naming convention: X.Y.Z
Service Pack
Periodic rollup of Hotfixes and Patches May only be a set of files, not a full, standalone product build Released on a planned availability date Naming convention: X.Y Service Pack #Z
Patch
In response to a specific Software Failure May only be a set of files, not a full, standalone product build Released ad-hoc, as soon as available Recommended to all customers to prevent a critical failure Naming convention: X.Y Patch #Z
Hotfix
In response to a specific customer-reported Software Failure May only be a set of files, not a full, standalone product build Released ad-hoc, as soon as available, via CodeGear Support only Typically created in response to Severity-1 issues from Premium Support customers Naming convention: X.Y Hotfix #Z
Two additional definitions that are relevant to Release Types
Major Release Family
Every Major, Minor, and Maintenance Release with the same ?X? version number
Version
A specific instance of a Major, Minor, or Maintenance Release, identified by a version number of the form X.Y.Z, where X is a whole number that represents the Major Release, Y is a whole number that represents the Minor Release (for the first release in a Major Release Family), and and optional Z is a whole number that represents the Maintenance Release
Lifecycle Periods:
Active Support
CodeGear Support will open cases and assist customers with issues Version is eligible for Hotfixes, Patches, and Service Packs Active Support will generally be provided for at least one Version within a Major Release Family for at least 12 months after the initial Major Release
Passive Support
CodeGear Support will open cases and assist customers with issues Version is NOT eligible for Hotfixes, Patches, and Service Packs To receive corrections to Software Failures, customers must upgrade to another Version, within the same Major Release Family, that is under Active Support
De-supported
CodeGear Support will open cases, but may not be able to assist customers with issues that are specific to the de-supported version
Release Milestones:
General Availabilty
First date on which Support will be made available to customers Term applies to a Major or Minor release At GA, the Version will generally enter the Active Support phase
Passive Support Date
Date when a Version moves from Active Support to Passive Support Generally announced approximately 6 months in advance Not all Versions will pass through this phase some will move directly to a De-support Date
De-support Date
First date on which all Versions within a Major Release Family are no longer eligible for Active or Passive Support Generally announced approximately 12 months in advance
Product Life Cycles by product:
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