using 4.x scheme looks simple and working: ok there is an exception with site, 
as there are always exceptions

what is important is system prerequisites history: remember for JDK 
requirement? same for Maven version requirement
just need to finish work on MPLUGIN-511 and we'll get the documentation 
automated

I hope we also have good error messages at runtime both in Maven 3 and 4

what makes me fear future headache is to decide if we maintain 2 branches (3.x 
and 4.x) in parallel of our ~50 plugins or if we just stop 3.x branch, or if we 
in general don't yet publish the 4.x branch unless there is a very good reason
or... any other idea that permits reasonable maintenance effort for us and 
reasonable service to our users community

Regards,

Hervé

On 2024/03/06 13:58:01 Tamás Cservenák wrote:
> Howdy,
> 
> We have several topics that need to be discussed.
> 
> I. Core Plugin Versioning
> 
> History: When Maven2 was born, and started using plugins "as we know them
> today" (Maven 1 was a very different beast), the Core Plugin versions were
> started as 2.0 on purpose. Just check the Maven Central for historical
> versions, some examples:
> * clean
> https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2/org/apache/maven/plugins/maven-clean-plugin/
> * compiler
> https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2/org/apache/maven/plugins/maven-compiler-plugin/
> * jar
> https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2/org/apache/maven/plugins/maven-jar-plugin/
> * surefire
> https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2/org/apache/maven/plugins/maven-surefire-plugin/
> * dependency
> https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2/org/apache/maven/plugins/maven-dependency-plugin/
> 
> So, Maven2 "as a fresh release" got all new shiny 2.0 plugins at the
> beginning. Later on, when Maven3 came to existence, it was able to use
> Maven2 plugins, the plugins were slowly migrated to become "Maven 3
> plugins" (Maven2 could not use them anymore). This was denoted by the "3.x"
> major plugin version jump.
> 
> So far, we have no 4.x plugin release of anything (M releases do not
> count). But my question is the following:
> 
> How should we distinguish similar changes for Maven4?
> 
> Explanation: when a plugin is migrated to Maven4 API, it will mean Maven3
> will NOT be able to use anymore (will be incompatible). Similarly as
> before, Maven4 CAN run the "Maven 3" plugins, and will retain this
> capability for some time. But other ways it does not work, nor never worked
> (Maven3 will not be able to run Maven4 plugin, just like Maven2 never ran
> Maven3 plugin).
> 
> For me, the logical answer to this question is the use of major version
> 4.x. So just like it happened with Maven 2 to Maven 3 transition, a plugin
> version 2.x meant "Maven2 plugin", version 3.x of plugin meant "Maven3
> plugin" (Maven2 incompatible).
> 
> As otherwise, if we start releasing Core plugins 4.x or 5.x, we will
> confuse the hell out of our users. At least that is what I think.
> 
> II. Consequence: How to interpret Core plugin versions
> 
> As can be seen above, so far the major version of the plugin was kinda
> showing "which Maven API level" is the plugin.
> 
> So, it begs the question: HOW to interpret the Maven Core Plugin version?
> 
> My interpretation was always: "shift it once left", meaning: Core plugin
> version "3.2.1" MEANS:
> - Maven API version: 3
> - Core Plugin version 2.1(.0)
> 
> III. Consequence: How to express Core plugin "breaking change"?
> 
> Today, everyone expects a "major version jump" to express breaking changes.
> BUT, as explained above, that would be totally misleading here, and would
> break the "customary law" that Major expresses Maven lineage.
> 
> Ideas and opinions welcome.
> 
> T
> 

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