For molecular modelers integrating cutting-edge tools, maintaining compatibility between your preferred extensions and the core software can be challenging. This is where SAMSON's versioning approach simplifies life for you: ensuring that all SAMSON Extensions remain functional with the software version you use. Let’s dive into how SAMSON achieves this with a precise and systematic approach to version compatibility.
How SAMSON Checks Extension Compatibility
When SAMSON is launched, it automatically compares its own version number with the version number of the SDK used to build each installed SAMSON Extension. For compatibility, two key requirements need to be met:
- Both the major version numbers of SAMSON and the SDK must be identical.
- The minor version number of the SDK must be smaller than or equal to that of SAMSON.
This ensures that extensions built using earlier minor versions of the SDK will work seamlessly, provided they rely on functions and features supported in the current SAMSON core version.
What Happens During Updates?
Imagine your SAMSON version is 1.7.8, and an installed extension was built using SDK version 1.5.2. Since the major version numbers are the same (both are 1), and 1.5.2's minor version (5) is smaller than 1.7.8's minor version (7), the extension is compatible and will load properly at startup.
Now, let's assume an updated version of the extension built with SDK version 1.6.4 is released on SAMSON Connect. Upon detecting this during its routine check, SAMSON will automatically upgrade to the compatible version. Easy, right?
When Major Updates Come Into Play
Consider the case where a new major version of SAMSON is released, such as version 2.0.0. This new version might introduce new functionalities that aren’t backwards-compatible. If an extension developer uploads a new version of their extension built with SDK 2.0.0, your SAMSON 1.7.8 will not attempt to load or upgrade to it, as it would lack the requisite underlying SDK framework. Instead, SAMSON will retain the last compatible version of the extension (in this case, 1.6.4), ensuring you still have access to a functional extension while avoiding compatibility failures or errors.
Encouraging Regular Updates
To make the most of SAMSON’s powerful capabilities, regularly updating both SAMSON and its extensions ensures access to the latest features, fixes, and performance enhancements. Automatic updates from SAMSON Connect take the hassle out of manual upgrades and help keep your workflow uncompromised.
You can explore more about this process in depth by visiting the official SAMSON documentation page.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get started by downloading SAMSON from SAMSON Connect.