LC stack version changes between 8 and 9

[Richard Gaskin]

Bob Sneidar wrote:

 > Is there a stack version change from 8 to 9? If so, I would be averse
 > to developing much in 9 except to play around a bit just to help out.

IIRC the last format change was between 8.0 and 8.1; 8.1 and 9.0 use the 
same format.

Better, if you do a Save As and choose a specific older format, 
subsequent use of Save will save in that format.

But I've only used that for a really old project made with 6.x.  If the 
choice is between the 8.0 and 8.1 formats, go with 8.1 since it's a much 
better build anyway.


 > If not, and I was reasonably assured no stack corruption was going
 > to take place (obviously there are no guarantees, and I do make
 > versioning backups) then I thin I would like to start using V9 for
 > my daily developing.

Stack file corruption in very rare in LC, much rarer than in HyperCard 
or even the last several versions of FileMaker I used (it was so common 
there they included an item in the File menu to attempt to resurrect 
corrupted files).

That said, corruption is possible with all data in all programs at any 
time for a wide range of reasons (unexpected power outage, etc.).

There's good value in taking full advantage of automated periodic 
incremental backup systems like Time Machine (Mac) or DejaDup (Ubuntu).

Even better, Nextcloud triggers backup to your own self-managed cloud on 
save, maintaining a definable number of versions while also providing 
flexible sync for all your computers (I sync my LC Plugins folder and 
client work folders with it so I'm always working on local copies of the 
latest stuff no matter which machine I switch to).

And of course, there's always just manually making a copy at the 
beginning of a work session, or when you're about to so something really 
hairy. :)


 > Or should I wait until the first RC?

Too late. If you find something specific to your project in an RC, it 
may not be addressable until the next version.  In general, with few 
exceptions RCs are limited in scope to fixing only regressions that 
occur since the last DP.  If you find anything outside of that mandate, 
there's a chance you just missed the whole version cycle and will have 
to wait or the next one.

As a general rule, developing with the most recent build of any 
designation, and shipping with the most recent Stable build, will 
provide the best mix of stability for your customers while maximizing 
opportunities to address any issues discovered during development.

-- 
  Richard Gaskin
  Fourth World Systems
  Software Design and Development for the Desktop, Mobile, and the Web
  ____________________________________________________________________
  Ambassador at FourthWorld.com                http://www.FourthWorld.com