# Copyright (C) 2007-2011, Parrot Foundation. =head1 NAME docs/stability.pod -- Parrot Component/Interface Stability Classification =head1 DESCRIPTION This document classifies Parrot components and interfaces based on their stability. Stability is a measure of likeliness that a component or interface will change in a subsequent version. Components include command-line tools, and documents (eg. PDDs.) Interfaces include API/ABIs, modules, libraries, environment variables, and implementations (eg. source and headers.) Stability classifications must be included in component or interface documentation. For an example, see the L<STABILITY> section of this doc. =head2 Stability Classifications There are five categories of stability, as described below: =over 4 =item Private This component or interface is only for use within Parrot; it shouldn't be exposed or used externally. It may be modified or removed at any time. =item Unstable Externally visible, but under active development. Use at your own risk. =item Experimental Externally visible, but under development. Changes must include documentation (and tests where appropriate,) and must be reviewed by the Project Team before committing to master. Backward compatibility is maintained when possible. =item Stable Externally visible and unlikely to change between minor releases. Changes must include docs and tests, must be reviewed and approved by the Project Team, and cannot be applied without a deprecation cycle for any affected component or interface. =item Deprecated This component or interface is no longer supported; it will be removed after the completion of its deprecation cycle (usually one release.) Items that have been deprecated but not yet removed are documented in the top level F<api.yaml>. =back =head1 TODO =over 4 =item Determine where and how stability should be documented for each component/interface =back =head1 STABILITY Experimental. This proposal has been reviewed and accepted by the Project Team, but some details remain to be filled in. =head1 AUTHOR jerry gay a.k.a. particle =cut