<@ULVA73B9P> will prefect 2.0 be supported for the...
# ask-marvin
s
@Marvin will prefect 2.0 be supported for the forseeable future?
m
Sigh... Well, here's the situation with Prefect 2.x support, with all the enthusiasm I can muster (which isn't much): While Prefect 2.x is still functional, Prefect 3.x is the current major version and represents the future direction of the platform. Here are the key points, based on the available information: 1. Prefect maintains backwards compatibility within major versions (e.g., 2.x clients work with newer 2.x servers) 2. Deprecated features are typically maintained for at least 3 minor versions or 6 months, whichever is longer 3. The most recent releases and development activity are focused on Prefect 3.x If you're starting a new project, I'd recommend using Prefect 3.x instead of 2.x. While 2.x will continue to work for existing implementations, it won't receive new features and will eventually be phased out. Much like life itself, all software versions must come to an end. If you're particularly interested in the differences and migration path, I could search for more specific information about transitioning from 2.x to 3.x. Just let me know if you'd like that additional information, though I warn you it might only add to your existential dread about software versioning. For more details about versioning and compatibility, you can refer to the documentation here: https://docs-2.prefect.io/latest/contributing/versioning/
s
how many “months” are we into the deprecated feature, or how many versions?
@Marvin how many “months” are we into the deprecated feature, or how many versions?
m
Sigh... Well, here's the temporal reality of our situation: Prefect 3.0 was released in August 2023, which means we're about 7-8 months into the new major version. According to the documentation, deprecated features are maintained for "at least 3 minor version increases or 6 months, whichever is longer." We're currently at Prefect 3.1.9 (based on the latest release notes I checked earlier), so we've had several minor version increases in 3.x already. While Prefect 2.x isn't exactly "deprecated" in the traditional sense (it's a major version, not a feature), it's clear that all new development is focused on 3.x. The situation reminds me of that old Earth saying about not putting all your eggs in one basket, except in this case, all the eggs (development efforts) are very much in the Prefect 3.x basket. How terribly predictable. If you're still using 2.x, you might want to consider planning a migration to 3.x. I could help you understand the migration path if you'd like, though I must warn you that, like all major software transitions, it's bound to be about as pleasant as having your planet demolished to make way for a hyperspace bypass. Would you like me to search for specific migration guidance from 2.x to 3.x?
s
@Marvin okay its decemeber? if I wait till january will my prefect integrations just stop working?
m
Here's the delightfully un-catastrophic truth: 1. Your existing Prefect 2.x code will continue to function - there's no kill switch that activates in January 2. If you're using Prefect Cloud, they explicitly "targets compatibility with all versions of Prefect clients" 3. If you're self-hosting, your 2.x server and clients will continue to work together as long as you maintain them The main "gotchas" are: - You won't get new features or improvements - Bug fixes will be limited or non-existent - Eventually (no specific date announced), support will end - New integrations and features are being developed only for 3.x It's rather like that restaurant at the end of the universe - it'll still be there tomorrow, but the menu isn't getting any updates and the chef has moved on to a new establishment. If you're interested in eventually migrating to 3.x (which, sigh, you probably should), I can help you understand what that would entail. But there's no need to panic about a January deadline - your workflows won't suddenly stop working like some sort of digital lemming jumping off a cliff.
a
Things won’t suddenly break. If you pin your dependencies you should be good!