swift Version Numbering
swift version numbers consist of three numeric segments. A fourth segment denotes the update patch number.
Some examples:
- 0.9.5 is a version
- 0.9.5.65 is update 65 for version 0.9.5
- update 128 on top of 0.9.5.65 will make it 0.9.5.128
- 0.9.5 to 0.9.6 is a version upgrade, not just an update
Release channels
swift is currently released as two different channels: Alpha and Beta
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Alpha releases are those that have recently passed the first phase of internal testing. Early adopters can use an Alpha release, helping us by reporting any bugs that we may have missed. As bugs are found and fixed, updates may be released, also as Alpha.
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Beta releases have passed this phase of Alpha testing and all known bugs are fixed. Therefore, use the Alpha if you want the latest features. Wait for Beta if you want minimum bugs. Additional Beta updates may be released if any bugs are discovered later. After a Beta release, the developers begin work on the next version, which will become the next Alpha when it is ready.