.. versionchanged:: 1.0.0
Pandas uses a version of `SemVer`_ to govern deprecations, API compatibility, and version numbering.
A pandas release number is made up of MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH.
API breaking changes should only occur in major releases. Theses changes will be documented, with clear guidance on what is changing, why it's changing, and how to migrate existing code to the new beahvior.
Whenever possible, a deprecation path will be provided rather than an outright breaking change.
Pandas will introduce deprecations in major or minor releases. These deprecations will preserve the existing behavior while emitting a warning that provide guidance
- How to achieve similar behavior if an alternative is available
- The pandas version in which the deprecation will be enforced.
We will not introduce new deprecations in patch releases.
Deprecations will only be enforced in major releases.
Note
Pandas will sometimes make behavior changing bug fixes, as part of minor or patch releases. Whether or not a change is a bug fix or an API-breaking change is a judgement call. We'll do our best, and we invite you to participate in development discussion on the issue tracker or mailing list.