Re: Backward Compatible

Le 10 mars 2004, à 16:36, Karl Dubost a écrit :
> Le 08 mars 2004, à 13:41, Karl Dubost a écrit :
>> I'm struggling with a question for the last month, and I would like 
>> to hear your opinion on it.
>>
>> * What do we mean when we say backward compatible in the context of 
>> the Web?
>> * How would you define it?
>> * Do you define it with regards
>> 	- to the specifications?
>> 	- to the tools?
>> 	- to the authoring techniques?
>
> To try to push forward, because many people seem to use it without 
> having a clear definition of what it is. It seems often like a rabbit 
> pulled out of a hat.

From
	http://networking.webopedia.com/TERM/B/backward_compatible.html

"""
Compatible with earlier models or versions of the same product. A new 
version of a program is said to be backward compatible if it can use 
files and data created with an older version of the same program. A 
computer is said to be backward compatible if it can run the same 
software as the previous model of the computer.

  Backward compatibility is important because it eliminates the need to 
start over when you upgrade to a newer product. A backward-compatible 
word processor, for instance, allows you to edit documents created with 
a previous version of the program. In general, manufacturers try to 
keep all their products backward compatible. Sometimes, however, it is 
necessary to sacrifice backward compatibility to take advantage of a 
new technology.

  The flip side of backward compatibility is upward compatibility. 
Upward compatible is the same as backward compatible, except that it is 
from the point of view of the older model.

  Another term for backward compatible is downward compatible
"""


-- 
Karl Dubost - http://www.w3.org/People/karl/
W3C Conformance Manager
*** Be Strict To Be Cool ***