Dear Sir,
We post updated builds on our Web site as they become available.
We use a version numbering scheme that indicates how big are changes to the software. The full version number is in form
MajorVersion.MinorVersion.Build.Revision
e.g. QuickOPC.NET is, at time of this writing, available in 5.03.1017.1.
As long the major and minor versions (5.03 in our example) the remain the same, the specifications of the software do not change. That is, only changes such as bug fixes and documentation updates are made in new builds. Anybody can download and use the new builds, according to the license terms they have (trial, commercial etc.).
The minor version is in form of two digits. The first digit denotes changes to the existing interface, while the second digit is for changes that never break an existing code. Unless otherwise stated, the license works with and entitles you to also use versions that have higher second digit. So, you obtain e.g. a license for QuickOPC.NET 5.0 (which is how the product is labeled in the price list), and it will work with and entitle you to use versions 5.00, 5.01. 5.02, 5.03, and even 5.04 etc. when released, but not 5.10. There usually will be upgrade pricing for users who want such higher versions (5.10), although the fees might also be lifted.
The version you buy a license for usually stays in life relatively long. To give you a rough idea:
- QuickOPC.NET 5.00 was released in October 2009
- QuickOPC.NET 5.01 added Visual Studio 2010 support
- QuickOPC.NET 5.02 added support for OPC-UA (Unified Architecture) through a proxy, and was released in October 2010
- QuickOPC.NET 5.03 added support for .NET Framework 4, and was released in November 2010
So, customers who have bought the QuickOPC.NET 5.0 product in 2009 can still use these newer versions with their updates, and even with more functionality, under their original license. Currently we have not set the date when a version requiring new license (QuickOPC.NET 5.1) will be released. Even then, critical bug fixes will continue be done into 5.0 version for some time.
Best regards,
Zbynek Zahradnik, OPC Labs
