Semantic Version Calculator

Tool Overview

Semantic Version Calculator helps you determine the next version number for your project. You enter your current version and describe your changes. The tool calculates the next version following semantic versioning rules. It explains why each version type fits your changes.

Deciding version bumps is hard. You must understand semantic versioning rules. You must classify changes correctly. You must communicate impact to users. Making mistakes confuses users and breaks dependencies.

This tool solves these problems. It analyzes your change descriptions. It suggests appropriate version bumps. It provides context-aware explanations. It generates ready-to-use version numbers and commands.

This tool is for developers managing project versions. It is for release managers planning updates. It is for anyone using semantic versioning. You need basic knowledge of version numbers. You do not need advanced skills.

Background & Concept Explanation

Semantic versioning uses three numbers: major.minor.patch. Major version increases for breaking changes. These changes break existing code. APIs change incompatibly. Features are removed. Major bumps reset minor and patch to zero.

Minor version increases for new features. These features are backward compatible. Existing code still works. New functionality is added. Minor bumps reset patch to zero.

Patch version increases for bug fixes. These are small changes. No new features are added. Bugs are fixed. Existing functionality improves. Patch bumps only increase the patch number.

Different project types have different considerations. Libraries affect other projects. Breaking changes require major bumps. APIs serve external clients. Changes must be carefully classified. Applications affect end users. User-facing changes matter most.

People struggle with version decisions manually. They do not know which type to choose. They misunderstand breaking changes. They forget to reset lower numbers. They do not consider project context. This causes version confusion.

Change classification is subjective. What counts as breaking? What counts as a feature? What counts as a fix? Different people classify differently. This leads to inconsistent versioning.

This tool automates the decision process. You describe your changes in plain language. The tool analyzes the description. It suggests major, minor, or patch. It explains why based on your project type. It calculates the exact next version number.

Key Features

• Current version input. You enter your current version number. The tool validates semantic versioning format. It shows errors for invalid versions. This ensures correct calculations.
• Change description field. You describe your changes in plain language. Explain what you changed. Mention breaking changes, new features, or bug fixes. The tool uses this to suggest version bumps.
• AI change analysis. The tool can analyze your description automatically. It identifies breaking changes, new features, and bug fixes. It suggests the appropriate bump type. This helps when you are unsure.
• Manual bump type selection. You can choose patch, minor, or major manually. Select the type that matches your changes. The tool calculates the next version accordingly. This gives you full control.
• Preset context selection. You choose your project type: Library, API, or Application. Each type has different versioning considerations. The tool provides context-aware explanations. This improves decision making.
• Strict SemVer mode toggle. You can enable strict semantic versioning mode. This ensures compatibility expectations are clear. Explanations include strict mode notes. This helps maintain standards.
• Next version calculation. The tool calculates the exact next version number. It follows semantic versioning rules precisely. Major bumps reset minor and patch. Minor bumps reset patch. Patch bumps only increase patch.
• Context-aware explanations. Explanations change based on your project type. Library explanations focus on API compatibility. API explanations focus on client contracts. Application explanations focus on user impact. This provides relevant guidance.
• Copy version number. You can copy the calculated version instantly. Click the copy button next to the version. Paste it into your project files. This saves typing time.
• Copy Git tag command. The tool generates Git tag commands. It formats versions with "v" prefix. Copy and run in your terminal. This creates version tags easily.
• Copy NPM command. The tool generates npm version commands. It creates commands like "npm version patch". Copy and run to update package.json. This automates version updates.
• Sample descriptions. The tool includes example change descriptions. Click samples to see how analysis works. Examples show bug fixes, features, and breaking changes. This helps you learn the tool.
• Real-time validation. The tool validates your version as you type. It checks semantic versioning format. It shows errors immediately. This prevents calculation errors.
• Description length tracking. The tool shows character count for descriptions. It limits input to 2000 characters. It requires at least 3 characters for AI analysis. This ensures useful input.
• Quick reference guide. The tool displays a reference for major, minor, and patch types. It reminds you what each type means. This helps with decision making.

Common Use Cases

Developers prepare releases. They describe changes made since last version. They use AI analysis to get suggestions. They review explanations for their project type. They copy the calculated version. They update project files.

Release managers plan version updates. They review change descriptions from teams. They use the tool to classify changes. They ensure consistent versioning across projects. They maintain version standards.

Library maintainers decide version bumps. They consider impact on users. They use Library preset for context. They check if changes break compatibility. They choose appropriate bump types.

API developers version endpoints. They use API preset for context. They classify endpoint changes. They ensure client compatibility. They communicate changes clearly.

Application developers version releases. They use Application preset for context. They consider user-facing changes. They classify feature additions and fixes. They maintain clear version progression.

Teams standardize versioning. They use the tool to ensure consistency. They follow semantic versioning rules. They maintain clear version communication. They avoid version confusion.

How to Use This Tool (Step-by-Step)

1. Open the Semantic Version Calculator tool. You see input fields for version and description.
2. Enter your current version number. Type it in the Current Version field. Use format like 1.0.0 or 2.5.3. The tool validates format automatically.
3. Select your project context. Click Library, API, or Application preset. This sets context for explanations. Choose the type that matches your project.
4. Describe your changes. Type a description in the Change Description field. Explain what changed. Mention breaking changes, new features, or bug fixes. Be specific about impact.
5. Optionally use AI analysis. Click the AI Suggest button after entering description. The tool analyzes your text. It suggests major, minor, or patch bump type. Review the suggestion.
6. Or select bump type manually. Click Patch, Minor, or Major badges. Choose based on your changes. Patch for bug fixes. Minor for new features. Major for breaking changes.
7. Review the recommendation. The tool shows the next version number. It displays an explanation based on your project type. It explains why the bump type fits your changes.
8. Enable strict mode if needed. Toggle Strict SemVer mode for stricter compliance. Explanations include strict mode notes. This ensures clear compatibility communication.
9. Copy the version number. Click the copy icon next to the version. The version copies to clipboard. Paste it into your project files.
10. Copy Git tag command. Click Copy Git Tag button. The command includes "v" prefix. Run it in your terminal to create a tag.
11. Copy NPM command. Click Copy NPM CMD button. The command updates package.json automatically. Run it in your project directory.
12. Use sample descriptions to learn. Click sample buttons to see examples. Study how descriptions map to bump types. Learn to write effective descriptions.
13. Update your project files. Use the copied version in package.json, pom.xml, or other files. Ensure consistency across all version references.

Calculations & Logic

Version parsing extracts major, minor, and patch numbers. The tool removes "v" prefix if present. It extracts core version numbers. It validates number ranges. It handles pre-release and build metadata.

Major bump calculation increases major by one. It sets minor to zero. It sets patch to zero. For example, 1.2.3 becomes 2.0.0. Lower numbers reset completely.

Minor bump calculation increases minor by one. It keeps major unchanged. It sets patch to zero. For example, 1.2.3 becomes 1.3.0. Only patch resets.

Patch bump calculation increases patch by one. It keeps major and minor unchanged. For example, 1.2.3 becomes 1.2.4. No numbers reset.

AI analysis processes change descriptions. It identifies keywords indicating breaking changes. It detects new feature mentions. It recognizes bug fix language. It classifies changes as major, minor, or patch.

Context-aware explanations vary by preset. Library explanations focus on API compatibility and consumer impact. API explanations focus on client contracts and endpoint changes. Application explanations focus on user workflows and feature changes.

Strict mode adds compliance notes. Explanations include strict semantic versioning reminders. This emphasizes compatibility expectations. It helps maintain versioning standards.

Git tag generation adds "v" prefix. It formats versions as "v1.2.3". This matches Git tag conventions. Commands are ready to execute.

NPM command generation creates version update commands. It formats as "npm version patch" or similar. Commands update package.json automatically. They follow NPM versioning conventions.

Validation checks version format. It ensures numbers are valid. It checks ranges are reasonable. It prevents calculation errors. Invalid versions show error messages.

Description validation checks length. Minimum 3 characters for AI analysis. Maximum 2000 characters to prevent excessive input. Length tracking shows current count. This ensures useful descriptions.

Tips, Limitations & Best Practices

Write clear change descriptions. Be specific about what changed. Mention breaking changes explicitly. Describe new features clearly. Explain bug fixes accurately. Good descriptions improve AI suggestions.

Choose the correct project preset. Library for packages used by other projects. API for services with external clients. Application for end-user software. Correct preset provides relevant explanations.

Use AI analysis as guidance. AI suggestions are helpful but not perfect. Review suggestions carefully. Override if you know better. Use your judgment for final decisions.

Consider breaking change impact. Major bumps communicate significant changes. Use them when APIs change incompatibly. Use them when features are removed. Use them when behavior changes significantly.

Use minor bumps for new features. These features are backward compatible. Existing code continues working. New functionality is added. Users can opt-in to new features.

Use patch bumps for bug fixes. These are small changes only. No new features added. Bugs are fixed. Performance improves. Security issues are patched.

Enable strict mode for libraries. Libraries affect many projects. Strict versioning prevents confusion. Clear compatibility communication matters. Follow semantic versioning precisely.

Update all version references. After calculating, update package.json, pom.xml, and other files. Ensure consistency across project. Do not miss any files.

Use Git tags for releases. Copy Git tag commands. Create tags for each release. Tag major versions especially. This helps track project history.

Use NPM commands for Node.js projects. Copy NPM version commands. Run them to update package.json automatically. This ensures consistency.

AI analysis requires backend service. It may be unavailable sometimes. If analysis fails, select bump type manually. Use your knowledge of semantic versioning.

Description length is limited. Keep descriptions under 2000 characters. Be concise but complete. Include key information only. Remove unnecessary details.

Version format must be valid. Use standard x.y.z format. Include all three numbers. Do not skip parts. Invalid formats prevent calculations.

Review explanations carefully. They provide context for decisions. Understand why each bump type fits. Learn semantic versioning principles. Improve your versioning skills.