Video Decode and Presentation API for Unix (VDPAU) [PSARC/2009/059 FastTrack timeout 02/05/2009]

[James Carlson]

John Martin writes:
> James Carlson wrote:
> > John Fischer writes:
> >>    While the API will be classified as volatile for this document,
> >>    the plan is to maintain backward compatibility in future releases. 
> >
> > A nit, perhaps, but those two clauses are saying different things.
> >
> > The classification system *is* a statement of intent.  If there's an
> > intent to maintain backward compatibility in future releases, then
> > "Volatile" doesn't express that intent.
> >
> > I hope this isn't being classed as "Volatile" merely because it's
> > written by a third party.
> NVIDIA plans to main full backward compatibility, so it is a statement
> of their intent.  However, this will become an open source project hosted
> by X.Org.

I don't follow that "however."  Open source doesn't mean "volatile,"
nor does hosting by X.Org.

The interfaces should be given the _right_ stability level.  If NVIDIA
intends to maintain full backward compatibility (and thus will treat
deviations as bugs), and if others are building software atop these
interfaces, then "Volatile" just isn't right.  That actually sounds
like "Committed" ... or perhaps "Uncommitted" if we need to remain
fearful.

-- 
James Carlson, Solaris Networking              <james.d.carlson at sun.com>
Sun Microsystems / 35 Network Drive        71.232W   Vox +1 781 442 2084
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