LibreOffice will have a change in version numbering and will now be based on dates

LibreOffice is a free and open source office software package developed by The Document Foundation.

Shortly after the release of LibreOffice 7.6 version the news was released about a plan for change in version numbering from the popular open source office suite.

Regarding the plan to change the way LibreOffice version numbering, it is mentioned that It may be a better option to use one based on release date, since it is more convenient for users, since in this way they can immediately evaluate the relevance of the version they are using and understand the time of its formation.

For developers, the new scheme is suitable due to the planned release preparation model, in which the date of the next release is initially known (LibreOffice releases arrive in February and August). Additionally, the new scheme is better from a marketing perspective, as it indicates that significant improvements are being promoted in each version, and not just in individual flagship branches.

According to the previously approved plan, the LibreOffice project changed to a new scheme version numbering, linked to dates and reflecting the year and month of release. About the proposal, this has been being thought about since the second quarter of this year within LibreOffice mailing lists:

It would be nice to have the next proper version number (after 7.6)
> ready when the master branches in a few weeks and for the new release plan.
> Is it already finished? If not, can we make the decision before
> 7,6 bifurcations occur? NOW is the right time to decide whether to move on
> 7.7, 8.0 or 24.02. (Justin)
> + my choice (Justin): 24.02 is fine - it's a good choice for regular, scheduled releases.

The next major release after LibreOffice 7.6 will be LibreOffice 24.2
(February), to be followed by LibreOffice 24.8 (August)

It is worth mentioning that the decision to change the numbering of the next versions of LibreOffice, was taken during the discussion on the feasibility of creating a branch of LibreOffice 8.0, during which the developers came to the conclusion that in recent years the code base of the project has been gradually developed while maintaining compatibility with previous versions, so changing the first digit in the version number is more of a step formal than an initially intended indicator of fundamental changes or backward compatibility violations.

As for when this change will begin, it is mentioned that it will be in the next major version after LibreOffice 7.6. Which is already in developmentoday will be the version of “LibreOffice 24.2”, whose version number reflects the February 2024 version, followed by version 24.8, scheduled for August 2024.

Given the current level of maturity of LibreOffice Technology
development platform, it is increasingly difficult to provide a number
of major new features for each major release based on the current version
numbering scheme (while the new features are key to media coverage, if
keep current numbering scheme)

* By choosing a calendar-based numbering scheme, we decouple the
Expectation of significant new features from every major new release: Yes
We have important news that will be well received by the media, but
If we don't have them, the media will not be disappointed (and will write
about LibreOffice)

The alternative schemes considered were the use of a format indicating the full year (2024.2, 2024.8, etc.) and a constant increase in the first digit of the number (8.0, 9.0, 10.0, etc.).

Finally, I would like to share my personal opinion on the case, in which "I believe" that it is not something extremely relevant (referring to whether it affects the operation or interferes with it) to have to resort to a change in the numbering of the versions, as by doing this, you can create some co-function with new users and those who are not familiar with the suite releases.

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