Re: prefixing interface identifiers (X...)

[Michael Hoennig "(mi)" <mi sun com>]

Hi Ali,

> I have a question. When is it acceptable for OpenOffice/StarOffice/Sun 
> to "break" its API?
>
> To me, it doesn't make sense to have the API from a version 1.0 exist in 
version 6.0?

additionally to what Torsten Schulz said, I'd like to add: I had a C 
source from 1988, it ran on XENIX in those days. It's not a big piece of 
software, but about a years ago (I had to make a Y2K fix) it still 
compiled on my then up-to-date Linux system. That's how it should be! 
(Yes, that program is still in use by a former customer of mine and runs 
on an Intel 80286/8MHz/2MB with XENIX - with 4 terminals attached - 
that's quality!)

Actually, it is very important to see the difference between 
inter-component-APIs and intra-component-APIs. Intra-component APIs can 
and should change as soon as necessary. Inter-component-APIs should be as 
stable as possible.

I know, it is very hard to achieve, but if you do not even have the will 
to do so, the inter-component-API is going ot change twice a year, which 
defeats the point.

	Michael