Manual Versioning
Manual versioning is a software development practice where developers manually assign and manage version numbers for releases, typically using a versioning scheme like Semantic Versioning (SemVer). It involves human decision-making to increment version numbers based on the nature of changes, such as bug fixes, new features, or breaking changes. This approach contrasts with automated versioning systems that generate versions based on commit history or build processes.
Developers should use manual versioning when they need precise control over version semantics, especially in projects where clear communication of changes to users or downstream dependencies is critical, such as in libraries, APIs, or consumer-facing applications. It is particularly useful in environments where releases are infrequent or require careful planning, as it allows teams to align version bumps with business or technical milestones, ensuring that version numbers accurately reflect the impact of updates.