On 2021-03-03, at 03:42, Liguangpeng (Roc, Network Technology Laboratory) 
<[email protected]> wrote:
> 
> backwards compatible

I would suggest not to center the discussion on terms that are so overloaded 
that they are essentially meaningless.

Some believe “backwards compatible” means “does not break existing 
applications”. That is a low bar (but not trivial either).  It does not imply 
any form of deployability in the sense of actually making the scheme work.

Some believe “backwards compatible” means “seamlessly integrates existing 
infrastructure” (maybe with the exception that certain benefits do not accrue 
until that is upgraded).  That has essentially been the basis for all major 
innovation that has happened in the Internet, with the exception of IPv6 (and 
you know how long that took and still is taking in some parts of the world).

Terms like “backwards compatible” are, however, useful for derailing the 
discussion if that is one’s intention, because quickly the discussion will be 
about the terms and no longer about the subject.

Grüße, Carsten

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