Updating Python - why we only patch the two most recent
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Why we only patch the two most recent major Python versions
Python follows a lifecycle where only the newest major versions receive full support, including official binary installers. Once a version moves into security-fix-only mode, upstream stops shipping these installers.
From Python 3.12 release notes:
“Python 3.12 is now in the ‘security fixes only’ stage… releases of those are made irregularly in source-only form... binary installers are no longer provided.”
Source:
https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-31213/For older versions:
- Updates are source-only, not packaged installers
- No consistent or supported upgrade path on Windows
- Effectively shifts maintenance to manual builds or downstream distributions
Bottom line:
If upstream doesn’t ship a proper installer, we don’t have a reliable or safe way to patch it.
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