Last Updated: 12 June 2026
z/VM Semantic Versioning
z/VM 7.5 will begin applying semantic versioning to CP
What is semantic versioning?
Semantic versioning is a standardized versioning scheme for software, in this case a z/VM component, that uses a four-part number format. The semantic versioning used for z/VM is loosely based on SemVer with some changes to accommodate the historic two digit z/VM release identifiers (7.5).Starting in z/VM 7.5, z/VM CP will be the first component to adopt semantic versioning. The General Availability version will be considered version 7.5.0.0. A version is used to identify a specific point where code is released to the service stream. A feature pack that comes out for a release will increment the third part by one, and a fix pack will increment the fourth part by one. This versioning will further help z/VM users and support in understanding what is installed on a z/VM system. Other z/VM components will adopt semantic versioning in a future z/VM release. Every component that follows semantic versioning will have their own individual version within a release.
All z/VM linear service rules still apply to components that follow semantic versioning.
Q VERSION
In z/VM 7.5, a new QUERY will be added. QUERY VERSION will output the four-part level of all components that follow semantic versioning.
Semantic version example
The following example explains the semantic version meaning for a hypothetical z/VM CP 7.5.1.2 level:
| Number | Identifier | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Version | The major version of z/VM. |
| 5 | Release | The minor release level of z/VM. |
| 1 | Feature Pack | Indicates what linear service feature pack has been applied. Feature packs can include hardware support. |
| 2 | Fix Pack | Indicates the linear service fix pack that has been applied. Fix packs can include hot fixes or security fixes. |
Supporting changes
The z/VM Change Log will continue to be used to track the z/VM component levels and content included in feature packs and fix packs. Components that follow semantic versioning will begin to use the corresponding version.release.feature-pack.fix-pack level in the change log.
The z/VM New Function page will indicate the semantic version where a new feature was made available initially.