Since version 11, Embarcadero has modified the version numbering scheme of its releases: 11.2 is an update of 11 Alexandria, not a new major version.
As announced when Embarcadero released RAD Studio, Delphi and C++Builder 11 Alexandria (see this blog post), the product now has a different version numbering scheme compared to the 10.x series. Let me clarify.
First, RAD Studio has two different types of release, major releases and minor ones. The core difference is not based on marketing, the amount of new features or anything like that. The main difference is in the binary compatibility with DCU files (compiled Delphi units) and BPL files (compiled component packages). Minor releases maintain binary compatibility, so the same third party component or code you have build should keep working as is, without recompiling. Major releases have compiler Delphi or RTL changes that break the unit compatibility, requiring recompiling all binaries.
With this difference in mind, over the past few years, we released major versions with a double number like 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4. They were followed by minor releases like 10.2.1 for 10.2 or 10.4.2 for 10.4. Each major version generally has 2 or 3 minor releases following it, maintaining compatibility. There were reasons for this choice, including both Microsoft and Apple staying on macOS 10 and Windows 10 for many years.
As announced in the 11 Alexandria release time frame, we have now changed the numbering scheme, to use only the first number as a major release number. So 11 was a new major release followed by 11.1 and now 11.2, both minor releases. In fact, the full name of the last release is “RAD Studio 11 Alexandria Release 2“. When we’ll have a new major release we expect it to be called 12 or 12.0. I hope this clarifies the fact that RAD Studio 11.2 Alexandria is a minor release, while 10.2 Tokyo was indeed a major one. We believe that going forward the new numbering scheme will be easier to understand.
Next, learn more about RAD Studio 11 and some of its great features and enhancements with a particular focus on the Integrated Development Environment (or IDE), that is, the RAD Studio application itself.
Also, know more about the brilliance of DNA manipulation in this article about Delphi’s DNABaser.
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Only thing we need now is the roadmap for the next major version!
Hi, thanks Henrique. At the moment we can’t share a roadmap for some fairly complicated reasons. Stay tuned to the webinars and social media accounts so we can keep you up-to-date with any news as soon as it is available.
When will Delphi CE be updated too? Even with the release of version 11.2, is it still feasible to start learning in version 10.4?
The product management team have recently stated in answers to webinar questions there is no specific timescale for the release of a new CE version, sorry. With regard to using 10.4 as a learning tool – yes it is ABSOLUTELY feasible to use 10.4 for the kind of things you would want to get done with a CE version. I used 10.4 for a significant period of time (until 11 came out) and it worked well. If there is something you think is an absolute must-have killer feature you need you could try the trial version of 11.2 which will help you decide whether to take the plunge and go for a paid version. If you are a student or educator you can also approach the sales team and explore their options for Educational licenses and similar schemes.
This “new” numbering system (actually the same as it was a while back) is sensible and easy to understand. I only wish Embarcadero marketing dept. had had the vision to not be a slave to the Mac and Win “10” “hold up” and had had the strength / belief to stick with the sensible numbering all along. As soon as Microsoft said “there will not be another Windows version after Windows 10” their numbering lost all credibility (in my view – proved subsequently to be correct!).
Exactly. But NT, XP, 95, 2000 weren’t credible either. Such a simple thing, but nooo it has to sound good on TV.
Well, great. The lesson here is NOT to follow Microsoft’s ridiculous versioning schemes which have changed so many times as to make your head spin and is purely a function of marketing and has no technical merit whatsoever.
It is encouraging to see technical minded decisions overriding the marketing types.