WAMR has adopted [semantic versioning](https://semver.org/) to replace the former *date versioning system*. The new version string consists of three parts:
- *major*: Any change that is not compatible with previous versions, affecting either the ABI or APIs, will result in an increase in the major version number. APIs include: wasm_export.h, wasm_c_api.h, sections in AOT files, among others.
- *minor*: This number increases with the addition of new features. This encompasses not only MVP (Minimum Viable Product) or POST-MVP features but also WebAssembly System Interface (WASI) features and WAMR-specific features.
- *patch*: This number is incremented for patches.
## Legacy releases
All previous versions (tags) will retain their current status. There will be no changes to existing release names and links.
# Release Process
WAMR has been deployed across various devices. A frequent release cycle would strain customers' testing resources and add extra deployment work. Two factors can trigger a new WAMR release:
- Community requests, particularly following the integration of significant and new features.
- Security vulnerabilities and critical bug fixes that ensure correctness.
Patch releases will be made only to address security vulnerabilities and critical issues related to default behavior in prior releases.