On Tue, Aug 06, 2002 at 02:33:22PM -0400, Greg A. Woods wrote:
> [ On Monday, August 5, 2002 at 08:12:36 (+0200), Alistair Crooks wrote: ]
> > Subject: Re: Comparing version numbers
> >
> > Ummm, we're talking about the version number that is used by the
> > package, not the one which is given to it by the authors.
> 
> Hmmmm.... then what about the ones where the authors use the "rcN"
> convention?  I'm thinking in particular of the early Mozilla releases?

In the Mozilla case, we sync'ed our version numbering with theirs,
for POLS.  There is nothing forcing us to do that, though.
 
> > However, to use your example, "1.rc2" is made into an array containing:
> > 
> > 	1, 0, -1, 2, 0, 0, ...
> > 
> > and "1.rc3" is made into an array containing:
> > 
> > 	1, 0, -1, 3, 0, 0, ...
> > 
> > This means that "1.rc2" is < "1.rc3". It's also, and most critically,
> > < "1.0".
> 
> Ah!  Yes, I see.  So "rc" really means insert ".0.-1.", keeping the
> number after the "rc".  (though maybe it should be just ".-1."?)

The '.' in a version number means "insert a '0'".
The 'rc' in a version number means "insert a '-1'".

However, the code explains it much better, if you're in any doubt.
 
Regards,
Alistair