post-5.9.0.4 discussion (was: test release: 5.9.0.4-test (will be 5.9.1))

On Sat 23 May 2026, at 18:22, dana wrote:
> * the previous two test releases, 5.9.0.2-test and 5.9.0.3-test, *were*
>   for 5.10. this confusing sequence is due to inadequacies in the
>   test-release process which will be corrected for next time. it won't
>   affect the final release of either version

we were talking about how to deal with this on irc and we liked the idea
of just using a high number for the third component when bumping master
for the next major release. for example with 5.9 and 5.10 what we could
have done (but didn't) was:

  - release 5.9
  - create zsh-5.9-patches branch (the 'release branch')
  - bump version in 5.9 release branch to 5.9.0.1-dev
  - bump version in master to 5.9.999.1-dev

then 5.9.1 test releases would have all been 5.9.0.x and 5.10 test
releases would have all been 5.9.999.x

oliver suggested we could just use 9 instead of 999 since historically
we have very few minor releases. i like the certainty of 999 myself
though. please comment if you have an opinion. if nobody feels strongly
i will bump master and update the docs accordingly in a few days

ps: i also tagged 5.9.0.3-test since that didn't get created or didn't
get pushed last time. @eric you'll probably need to delete your local
tag if you made one

pps: i'm continuing to call master 5.10 for continuity but personally i
still don't mind bumping to 6.0 when it actually releases

dana