#38500: gcc48: stable 4.8.0 released -----------------------+------------------- Reporter: larryv@… | Owner: mww@… Type: update | Status: new Priority: Normal | Milestone: Component: ports | Version: Resolution: | Keywords: Port: gcc48 | -----------------------+------------------- Comment (by burnus@…): Replying to [comment:2 egall@…]:
Despite there being a stable version available now, the most recent update to the gcc48 port (r104293) updated it to another development version... Is there a reason for doing that?
I don't know about the reason of the Port Maintainer. However, snapshots from the release branches (4.6.x, 4.7.x, 4.8.x) are usually very stable as only regression fixes and fixes for serious bugs are allowed. Linux distributions always take the latest branch version and ignore the releases. (The decrement the version number by one, such that it appears as latest release plus patches). Except that the release manager builds the RC on some systems there is not really a difference between the snapshot build and the using a minor release. Thus, the pros for staying with a release are mainly: Well defined version, has been tested to build on several systems. The pros for using branch snapshots: Contains more bug fixes and is also stable. (And it only enters MacPorts if it builds.) Especially shortly after a major release like 4.8.0 it might make sense to use the snapshots as this will give quick access to the regressions found in the release. (Things should calm down a bit more after 4.8.1, which will probably be released in about two months.) -- Ticket URL: <https://trac.macports.org/ticket/38500#comment:5> MacPorts <http://www.macports.org/> Ports system for OS X