NEWS update

[Allison Randal]

Reini Urban wrote:
> 2009/4/19  <fperrad at svn.parrot.org>:
>> [release] Updates to NEWS from commit log since last release.
> 
> Since allison single-handedly, without any public discussion,
> removed the below described "Bytecode Compatibility".
> 
> docs\project\support_policy.pod:
> "=head2 Bytecode Compatibility
> In future releases, we might make changes to the bytecode format that
> would prevent bytecode generated on one supported release from running
> on a later supported release. These changes will follow our usual
> deprecation guidelines, with adequate advance notice."
> 
> It should be properly noted in NEWS that the above pbc version portability
> is now, starting with 1.1.0, officially not supported anymore.
> It was already removed with 1.0, but 1.1.0 is the first release which
> breaks this promise.
 >
> ops were removed, PBC_COMPAT changed, and the previously coded and described
> pbc version compatibility was removed. So the above promise is
> violated. Every single
> ops or pmc change leads now to pbc incompatibility without any
> deprecation period.
> 1.1 broke it what what should have been broken with 1.4.


It meets the promise, because in 1.0 there was a deprecation notice.

 > =head1 Bytecode
 >
 > =over 4
 >
 > =item packfile structure [eligible in 1.1]
 >
 > L<https://trac.parrot.org/parrot/ticket/451>
 >
 > =item opcode numbering [eligible in 1.1]
 >
 > L<https://trac.parrot.org/parrot/ticket/451>
 >
 > =item PMC numbering [eligible in 1.1]
 >
 > L<https://trac.parrot.org/parrot/ticket/451>
 >
 > =back

We knew we had some substantial work to do in ops, PMCs, and the 
packfile format in the next few months, and we made that explicit to our 
users. Around 2.0 or 3.0 we'll start to be able to guarantee bytecode 
compatibility between one supported version and the next. We can't right 
now, and that's okay. This is an early stage in the adoption cycle, and 
we don't have many production users to support.

> BTW, I still cannot believe that allison was allowed to get away with that.
> Normally such a project leader, lacking technical and project leading
> capabilities
> would get fired immediately or it would lead to a prominent split.

It's okay to disagree with the leader. Discussion is an important part 
of driving innovation. But, it is entirely inappropriate to claim that 
because someone disagrees with you they lack knowledge or experience. 
It's equally likely that you lack knowledge or experience, so best to 
keep such personal claims entirely out of the conversation.

> However, a "pparrot" (Portable Parrot) split is out of my intentions.
> I just left.
> The damage is already done and irrevocable.

I'm sorry to hear that, and will disable your commit access. We wish you 
the best of luck, and you are, of course, always welcome back.


I highly recommend the following talk to everyone:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4216011961522818645

> Anyway, I see no proper fitting NEWS line for this problem ("  +
> parrot languages still not installable"), so no patch for that.

We're working on it, and making progress. We'll have it ready for 1.4.

Allison