DrupalCon Baltimore 2017: Backwards Compatibility: Burden & Benefit

This talk explores the importance of backwards compatibility (BC) in software development, particularly in relation to Drupal's extensive API surface. The speaker discusses the challenges introduced by differing API types, such as the functional modules like BigPipe and Dynamic Page Cache that do not have APIs, contrasting with the REST module which has an API but requires careful consideration to maintain BC. The session delves into strategies for creating more evolvable modules and examines root cause hypotheses related to API design, urging participants to think critically about how various features and configurations could impact BC in future developments. This discussion aims to spark ongoing conversation among attendees about these crucial considerations in maintaining backwards compatibility.