Gambit: Software Tools for Game Theory | ||
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Beginning with version 0.97, Gambit versions will be numbered in the form 0.x.y.z, where x is the "major" version number, y is the "minor" version number, and z is the "micro" (or "patch") version number. The initial zero in the version number is there for historical reasons. Gambit follows the Linux kernel numbering style: releases deemed "stable" will have even minor version numbers, and releases deemed "unstable" will have odd minor version numbers. So, version 0.97.0.1 is the first release in the stable 0.97.0 series; version 0.97.1.1 will be the first release in the unstable 0.97.1 series.
The goal is to release a new initial stable version in a series on a schedule roughly corresponding to the academic year (at least, for those on the semester system), for the benefit of those who like to use Gambit for instructional purposes. So, for example, version 0.97.0.1 was released on September 1, 2002; this is a stable release, and any future releases of 0.97.0.z will correspond to bug fixes and patches. At some point in the fall, releases numbered 0.97.1.z will begin to appear; these will contain relatively major innovations and changes relative to the 0.97.0 series. Finally, when the 0.97.1 series stabilizes, it will be released, hopefully over the holidays, as version 0.97.2.0.
Which version of Gambit you should use depends on your needs. For classroom use, we'd certainly recommend the current stable version, since nothing will frustrate your students faster than having the program crash on them in the middle of their homework. For research use, you may find either of them appropriate; while the "unstable" series might be a bit buggy, it may also have some features you'll find useful. Finally, if you're interested in contributing to Gambit, you'll definitely want to work with the unstable series, since that represents the latest-and-greatest on the bleeding edge of computational game theory development.
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