After the introduction of Enlightenment Framework back in August 2014, we have decided to release all future themes powered by Enlightenment Framework while our existing themes will be slowly one-by-one shifted to the new platform. Since this decision we have implemented a new version numbering conversion to reflect the type of update the theme has received. Prior to this, the version numbering was mostly random, with the last digit being increased on each update. Read below to find out more about our version numbering system as well as our relative theme release schedule:
Version Numbering
Each themes version is represented by a three number scheme of the form x.y.z, like for example 1.4.13. Each number in this version scheme represents a certain milestone which combined reflect the type of last update the theme received. The version numbering scheme convention is as follows:
1.4.13 – Maintenance Release
1.4.0 – Minor Release
2.0.0 – Major Release
Below is explained what each type of update represents. These type updates affect both publicly released themes as well as the code base of Enlightenment Framework:
Maintenance Release
Reflected by the change in the last digit of the version number, for example 1.4.13 following 1.4.12. This type of update brings mostly bug fixes and improvements to existing functionality, without introducing new features. Each maintenance release update should be backwards compatible will all previous versions from the last major release.
Minor Release
Reflected by the change of the middle digit of the version number, usually with the last digit changed to zero; for example 1.5.0 following 1.4.13. This type of update introduces new features that weren’t previously available while not affecting backwards compatibility with previous versions.
Major Release
Reflected by the change of the first digit in the version number, usually with the middle and last digits being reset to zero; for example 2.0.0 following 1.4.13. This type of update both introduces new features while also removing any features that are obsolete or replaced by new functionality. All previously deprecated functions and classes are also removed. This type of update is not backwards compatible with previous versions of the theme and may require some cleaning up and reconfiguration after performing the update. Existing child themes may also break when updating to a major release.
Release Schedule
Currently our plan is to release all new themes under Enlightenment Framework while slowly shifting all our existing themes to the framework. In parallel, improvements and new features will be added to Enlightenment Framework so our theme’s release schedule should keep a balance between releases of Enlightenment Framework and the next iteration of our themes.
Upgrading existing Themes
Plans to upgrade an existing theme to Enlightenment Framework will be announced at least 3 months prior to their release in our development blog. Upgrading to the new framework means significant design and functionality changes will take place that will make these releases not compatible with the previous versions. Once themes are released under Enlightenment Framework, the old legacy version of the theme will no longer be supported.
Updating Themes powered by Enlightenment Framework
Themes that are already using Enlightenment Framework will receive maintenance and minor updates whenever known bugs are fixed, security vulnerabilities are patched or new features are introduced. These types of updates will be announced in our development blog after they have been released.
Major updates will be announced at least 3 months prior to their release along with a list of features and functionality that will be removed or replaced and instructions how to update to the new version without losing any content or customizations. These instructions are limited in accordance to our Support Policy.