Re: [ANNOUNCE] LuaThreads 1.0.1 (for Lua 5.0-work0)

[John Belmonte <jvb@...>]

Philippe Lhoste wrote:
> BTW, I will ask Lua authors to go fetch their crystal ball ;-)
> Do you think the C API (including lauxlib) of Lua 5.0 will be pretty stable
> now, or may it still have some deep changes, like those from Lua 4.0-work4 to
> Lua 5.0-work0?

I don't see how they could make such a promise, when API and feature 
changes occured on 4.0 even between alpha, beta, and release.

> The purpose of the question is actually to know if we can start coding using
> this version, coping with small changes as working on Lua goes, or does we
> risk to have to rewrite major parts of the applications/libraries if we dare
> to use this unofficial and experimental release?

Exactly.  Now, before the Lua authors say "this is not worth the trouble 
so let's stop experimental releases", note that this same issue exists 
for alpha and beta versions too.  When someone starts a project, 
commercial or otherwise, they must make the decision to go with the old 
stable version, or anticipate the upcoming version.  If an alpha or beta 
release looks good (or even an experimental release, as we have 
witnessed with all the recent anouncements), many choose to bet on the 
upcoming version.

I'd ask the Lua authors to consider that many people need to track their 
releases.  It would help if there was a pattern of convergence as the 
final release is approached.  It would help if some simple policy where 
defined (for example, no API changes between beta and final release) and 
adhered to, so that people tracking the releases know what to expect.

-John


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