How do you choose a versioning scheme for your software documentation?

1 Semantic versioning

Semantic versioning is a popular and widely used versioning scheme for software development. It follows the format of MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH, where each component represents a level of change in the software. For example, 1.2.3 means the first major version, the second minor version, and the third patch. A major version indicates a breaking change, a minor version indicates a new feature, and a patch indicates a bug fix. Semantic versioning is useful for documenting software that has a clear and stable API, and for communicating the compatibility and impact of changes to your users.

2 Date-based versioning

Date-based versioning is another common versioning scheme for software documentation. It uses the date of the last update as the version number, either in full or in abbreviated form. For example, 2021-06-15 or 210615. Date-based versioning is simple and easy to implement, and it shows your users when your documentation was last updated. However, it does not convey the nature or significance of the changes, and it may be confusing if you have multiple updates in a single day.

3 Custom versioning

Custom versioning is a versioning scheme that you create and define yourself, based on your specific needs and preferences. You can use any format or criteria that you want, as long as you are consistent and clear. For example, you can use letters, numbers, symbols, or words to indicate different types of changes, such as A for major changes, B for minor changes, C for patches, or D for drafts. Custom versioning gives you more flexibility and control over your documentation, but it may also require more explanation and documentation for your users.

4 How to apply versioning

When creating software documentation, it is essential to choose and apply a versioning scheme consistently and effectively. This should include rules and criteria for assigning version numbers, the frequency of updates, and communication channels for announcing changes. Using version control tools like Git, GitHub, or Bitbucket can help you manage and track the changes and versions of your documentation. Additionally, make sure that users can easily identify the current and previous versions of your documentation on the title page, footer, sidebar, or URL. Furthermore, providing a changelog or release notes is a great way to summarize the changes in each version of your documentation. This will help users understand what has changed and why, as well as follow the evolution of your documentation. Ultimately, effective versioning can improve the quality, usability, and credibility of your software documentation.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?