Re: [h5md-user] H5MD 1.1 roadmap

[Konrad Hinsen]

On 09/01/15 16:36, Pierre de Buyl wrote:

> I think that it is time for a H5MD 1.1 roadmap

Yes, thanks for having initiated the action!

> """
> We could use the following principle: As long as it is possible for a H5MD i.j+1
> reader to read a H5MD i.j file unambiguously and in a single codebase, we may
> use i.j+1 for the update. Else, the version jumps to i+1.0
> """

The critical term here is "single codebase", which I think requires 
clarification. Does it mean "without inspecting the file's version 
number for making decisions"?

I'd like to propose another principle, for the process of accepting 
proposals: each proposal must come with (1) at least one working 
implementation and (2) at least one illustrating example file.

The motivation is not so much to have a useful implementation right 
away, but to be sure that the proposal actually has been implemented. In 
my experience, it is impossible to write down a non-trivial 
specification without developing an implementation in parallel. 
Moreover, the implementation and example can help to clarify points that 
might be unclear in the text.

Note that I do not propose that the implementation and/or example become 
part of H5MD, only that they should be part of a proposal.

Konrad.