diff --git a/####-release_cycle.md b/####-release_cycle.md index 71a795f..28eada6 100644 --- a/####-release_cycle.md +++ b/####-release_cycle.md @@ -3,9 +3,8 @@ | **Status** | **Proposed/Accepted/Deprecated** | |:------------------|:---------------------------------------------| | **RFC #** | #### | -| **Authors** | [Luciano Bello](https://github.com/1ucian0/) | +| **Authors** | [Luciano Bello](https://github.com/1ucian0/) and the Qiskit development team | | **Submitted** | 2023-11-21 | -| **Updated** | YYYY-MM-DD | ## Summary @@ -263,9 +262,14 @@ After the release of a major version (X.3.0), a 6-month bugfix support period is **Minor Version (Y):** Increases for backward-compatible features or enhancements a new `X.Y` release: -- Users can expect new functionalities without breaking existing code (with the exception of Experimental APIs -- Deprecation of previous functionality might be introduced (with a `Deprecation Warning` and documentation), pointing to the new prefer way or alternative, if there is one. +- Minor releases are planned for every 3 months, on a best effort basis. +- Users can expect new functionalities without breaking existing code (with the exception of Experimental APIs. +- Significant refactorings of internals without changes in the public API are possible in minor releases. +- Bugfixing without changes in the public API are possible in minor releases. +- Deprecation of previous functionality might be introduced (with a `DeprecationWarning` and documentation), pointing to the new prefer way or alternative, if there is one. - The support of `X.Y` finishes with the release of `X.Y+1` in most of the cases (exception might apply) +- The minor release before the next major (aka, *final minor release*) has support for 6 months after the next major. That is, if `X.Y` is the last feature release before `X+1.0`, then `X.Y+1` is the final minor release. +- The final minor release `X.Y+1` should not have new features but might include `DeprecationWarning`s that will be removed in the next major, `X+1.0`. **Patch Version (Z):** Bumps for backward-compatible bug fixes.