> I think that the right implementation is that when gcc is built, it
> includes a well-known header file which defines these values.

no, this isn't even _close_ to right.

what happens when 1.0A becomes 1.0B?  or somebody decides to start
tracking -current (1.0A)?

they need to recompile their compiler?  no, i think that's quite
silly, _especially_ since there already exists a way for them to find
out the NetBSD version number, as a CPP define.

> > #define __ALPHA__
> 
> Well, 1.0 is already released, so 1.0a can't be 1.0 alpha.   Maybe
> it's 1.1 alpha...   However, I think it's really 1.0.1.   Maybe
> somebody who knows can tell us... :')

A means A.
B means B.
1.0A follows 1.0.
1.0B follows 1.0A.
etc.

there is no magic word associated with the letters.  (c.f. the Ultrix
version numbering scheme.)



chris