Semantic Versioning with CI/CD
Blog post from Semaphore
Software is in a constant state of evolution, requiring frequent updates and new features to remain relevant, but introducing changes without warning can disrupt users. Semantic versioning offers a structured approach to communicate compatibility between software releases through a three-part numbering system: major, minor, and patch. Each component signifies the potential impact of changes, with major updates indicating significant changes, minor updates introducing new but compatible features, and patches addressing minor fixes. To efficiently manage versioning, especially in large codebases, tools like semantic-release automate the process by analyzing commit messages that follow a specific format, allowing for automatic version computation, release note generation, and package publishing. This automation can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines to streamline the release process, reducing human error and ensuring consistent versioning, ultimately fostering trust with users and contributors.