The software is released with a version number based on the Apache Portable Runtime Project version guidelines. In summary, the version is denoted as three integers in the format of MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH. Major versions are incompatible at the API level, and they can include any kind of change. Minor versions are compatible with older versions at the API and binary level, and they can introduce new functions or remove old ones. Patch versions are perfectly compatible, and they are released to fix defects.