gcc <--> binutils versions

[Segher Boessenkool]

On Sun, Jun 27, 2021 at 05:38:21PM -0400, German Salazar via Gcc-help wrote:
> This is why, additionally, it is nice to know whether version numbers for
> given software are meaningful, for example, are they following Semantic
> Versioning? That would give clear indication of how far to update.

"Semantic versioning" is meaningless itself: you really need to know
exactly what is meant by it.  Different people have different
expectations of it.  And it is often presented as magic pixie dust.

The version numbers *are* meaningless, and they *should* be: binutils is
just released at a regular cadence.  

> I see that page https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/binutils lists releases since 1996,
> starting with version 2.6 ...25 years later, they continue with major
> version 2 ...that this mean that they are all backwards compatible? If that
> is the case, then, I should be able to use even binutils released after the
> version of gcc I am trying to use, correct?

Yes.  But most combinations will not have been tested, or anticipated,
so YMMV.  If you stay on the beaten track things will work more smoothly
for you.


Segher