Overview

Elixir Release Philosophy

Elixir follows a predictable release cadence with new versions every 6 months, typically in June and December. This consistent schedule allows the community to anticipate improvements while maintaining production stability.

The language prioritizes backward compatibility exceptionally well. Code written for Elixir 1.12 runs without modification on Elixir 1.19. This strong compatibility guarantee stems from the mature BEAM VM foundation and Elixir’s conservative approach to language changes. Breaking changes are extremely rare and always well-documented in release notes.

Unlike ecosystems that maintain multiple Long-Term Support (LTS) versions, Elixir treats all releases equally. The platform strategy encourages staying current with stable releases rather than locking into specific versions for extended periods. This approach works because upgrades rarely break existing code.

Why No LTS Model?

Elixir’s strong backward compatibility eliminates the need for an LTS model. When code from version 1.12 runs unchanged on 1.19, the distinction between LTS and non-LTS versions becomes meaningless. Users get LTS-level stability across all releases.

The small, stable core language built on the decades-mature BEAM VM provides inherent stability. Compare this to Java’s LTS model (8, 11, 17, 21), where significant language changes between versions drive the need for long-term support. Elixir’s incremental improvement approach avoids this complexity. The community prefers accessing the latest features and optimizations rather than maintaining aging versions.

Release Categories

Landmark Releases introduce major language features that expand Elixir’s capabilities. Elixir 1.14 established the type system foundation with gradual typing principles. These releases are rare but define new directions for the language.

Feature Releases deliver incremental improvements and new modules. Elixir 1.16 added the built-in JSON module, eliminating the need for third-party JSON libraries in many cases. These releases enhance developer experience without disrupting existing code.

Maintenance Releases focus on bug fixes, performance optimizations, and dependency updates (OTP versions). They keep the language stable and performant while addressing edge cases discovered in production use.

Six Major Releases Covered

This section documents six significant Elixir releases spanning from 1.12 to 1.17:

• Elixir 1.17 (Latest, June 2024) - Set-theoretic types for gradual typing, calendar duration calculations, OTP 27 support with enhanced debugging
• Elixir 1.16 (January 2024) - Native JSON module, process sleep improvements, duration sigils
• Elixir 1.15 (June 2023) - Compiler diagnostics enhancements, Duration type system, improved Mix dependencies
• Elixir 1.14 (Landmark, September 2022) - Type system foundation with gradual set-theoretic types, dbg/2 debugging macro, PartitionSupervisor for scalability
• Elixir 1.13 (December 2021) - Semantic recompilation reducing unnecessary rebuilds, Registry partition improvements, Calendar updates
• Elixir 1.12 (May 2021) - Config.Reader for runtime configuration, scripted Mix install, improved error messages

Each release builds on previous work, creating a cumulative improvement path. The type system work begun in 1.14 continues evolving through 1.15, 1.16, and 1.17.

Upgrade Strategy

A comprehensive test suite serves as your safety net for upgrades. Well-tested code reveals issues immediately when running on a new version. Invest in test coverage before upgrading production systems.

Approach upgrades incrementally rather than jumping multiple versions at once. Moving from 1.12 to 1.17 should go through intermediate versions (1.12 → 1.14 → 1.17) to catch issues early. Each upgrade validates one version’s changes rather than three versions simultaneously.

Breaking changes are rare but exist. Always read the changelog and migration guide for each version. The Elixir team documents every deprecation and breaking change clearly. Budget time for addressing deprecation warnings even if your code runs correctly.

For new projects starting today, use Elixir 1.17 or later. It includes all accumulated improvements from previous releases plus the latest type system features. Existing projects should plan regular upgrade cycles (every 2-3 releases) to avoid falling too far behind.

How to Use This Section

Start by reading the latest release (Elixir 1.17) to understand current capabilities. Then work backward through releases to see how features evolved. This chronological approach reveals the reasoning behind design decisions.

Each release document includes upgrade guidance specific to that version. Pay attention to breaking changes, deprecations, and recommended migration paths. Focus on production-relevant features rather than trying to understand every enhancement.

Use these release highlights as planning tools for your upgrade strategy. Identify which features benefit your codebase and prioritize upgrades that deliver those features. Not every release requires immediate action, but understanding what’s available helps make informed decisions.