Suggest an editImprove this articleRefine the answer for “What does the PATCH version mean?”. Your changes go to moderation before they’re published.Approval requiredContentWhat you’re changing🇺🇸EN🇺🇦UAPreviewTitle (EN)Short answer (EN)**The PATCH version** is the third number in semantic versioning (**SemVer**), which is incremented when bugs are fixed and small changes are made without changing functionality or breaking compatibility. **Key point:** the PATCH version is incremented when bugs are fixed and small changes are made that do not break backward compatibility and do not add new functionality.Shown above the full answer for quick recall.Answer (EN)Image**The PATCH version** is the **third number** in semantic versioning (**SemVer**), which is incremented when **bugs are fixed and small changes are made without changing functionality or breaking compatibility**. Version format: ``` MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH ``` --- ## What incrementing PATCH means Incrementing **PATCH** means: *"We fixed something, but the product's behavior for users has not changed."* That is: - the API stayed the same - no new functionality was added - the update is **completely safe** Example: ``` 1.4.2 → 1.4.3 ``` --- ## Examples of changes for PATCH PATCH is incremented if: - a bug was fixed - a logic error was fixed - a production bug was fixed - code was optimized without changing behavior - documentation or comments were fixed (sometimes) --- ## What PATCH does NOT mean PATCH does **not** mean: - adding new features - changing the API - changing behavior that users might have relied on If the behavior changed, it is already a **MINOR or MAJOR** version. --- ## PATCH in releases and CI/CD - PATCH releases happen most often - they are usually deployed automatically - they are often used for hotfixes --- ## PATCH and version resets - PATCH is incremented independently - when MINOR or MAJOR is incremented: - PATCH is reset to `0` Example: ``` 1.4.9 → 1.5.0 ``` --- ## Short answer for an interview > **The PATCH version is incremented when bugs are fixed and small changes are made that do not break backward compatibility and do not add new functionality.**For the reviewerNote to the moderator (optional)Visible only to the moderator. Helps review go faster.