API stability.

[Ryan Brown]

Recently we made use of the libraries of JFreeChart to in a prototype for a project. As of the latest version of JFreeChart, we noticed our code would no longer compile because of changes to the JFreeChart API. Specifically the method JFreeChart.getDataset() was removed (and relocated), also the constructor StandardXYItemRenderer( int value ) was removed.

Normally the practice (as I understand it) would be to deprecate these methods, suggest an alternate method, and threaten to remove the offending method at the time of a future major release. Why were the methods removed rather than deprecated? Is the policy that that the API is subject to change without notice? Perhaps this is a temporary policy while the project has Beta status?

I searched for information regarding this issue on the JFreeChart project home page but didn't find anything. Is there any plan to institute a policy with regards to API changes in the future?

Thanks for your attention.

[David Gilbert]

The JFreeChart API is subject to change up until version 1.0.0 is released. After that, I plan to maintain upwards compatibility between versions, or use deprecation if changes are unavoidable.

Regards,

DG.