[Python-Dev] PEP 411: Provisional packages in the Python standard library

Fri Feb 10 22:56:37 CET 2012

On 2/10/2012 9:06 AM, Eli Bendersky wrote:
> Whenever the Python core development team decides that a new package should be
> included into the standard library, but isn't entirely sure about whether the
> package's API is optimal, the package can be included and marked as
> "provisional".
>> In the next minor release, the package may either be "graduated" into a normal
> "stable" state in the standard library, or be rejected and removed entirely
> from the Python source tree.

This could be interpreted as limiting provisional status to one release 
cycle. I suggest that you add 'or continued as provisional'. In 
particular, if the api *is* changed, another provisional period might be 
advisable.
> The<X> package has been included in the standard library on a
> provisional basis. While major changes are not anticipated, as long as
> this notice remains in place, backwards incompatible changes are
> permitted if deemed necessary by the standard library developers. Such

'as long as' implies no particular limit.
-- 
Terry Jan Reedy