MATLAB: MATHWORKS Version release policy

matlab version

Not exactly a Techincal question but just want to know your opinion.Do you also feel that Mathworks policy of releasing two versions each year is too much. I mean by the time you develop your expertise and get hands on a particular version, a new version gets released with new GUI and features. In Industries like Aerospace where development lifecycle is in years together, version management and support becomes a nightmare accross projects/cells.

Best Answer

My opinion is that it is fine as is. Industries that have very long lifespans need to develop their own in house version control standards anyhow, and those often have external constraints that are beyond anything Mathworks can reasonably be expected to control for. For example some industries require that programs not change for 30 years except through extremely rigorous testing and approval processes , and Mathworks cannot be expected to freeze development for 30 years.
Mathworks is in competition with other vendors that do not stand still for a year at a time, and needs to be seen in the market with visible continual development in order to be viewed as relevant and able to respond to industry changes instead of being a slow moving dinosaur .