PEP: 596
Title: Python 3.9 Release Schedule
Version: $Revision$
Last-Modified: $Date$
Author: Łukasz Langa <lukasz@python.org>
Discussions-To: https://discuss.python.org/t/pep-596-python-3-9-release-schedule-doubling-the-release-cadence/1828
Status: Draft
Type: Informational
Content-Type: text/x-rst
Created: 04-Jun-2019
Python-Version: 3.9


Abstract
========

This document describes the development and release schedule for
Python 3.9.  The schedule primarily concerns itself with PEP-sized
items.

.. Small features may be added up to the first beta
   release.  Bugs may be fixed until the final release,
   which is planned for beginning of October 2020.


Release Manager and Crew
========================

- 3.9 Release Manager: Łukasz Langa
- Windows installers: Steve Dower
- Mac installers: Ned Deily
- Documentation: Julien Palard


Release Schedule
================

3.9.0 schedule
--------------

Note: the dates below are proposing a 17-month development period that
results in a 12-month release cadence between major versions.  This is
still a draft under discussion.  Rationale and details described in
PEP 602.  Suggestions and comments welcome.

Expected:

- 3.9 development begins: Tuesday, 2019-06-04
- 3.9.0 alpha 1: Monday, 2019-10-14
- 3.9.0 alpha 2: Monday, 2019-11-18
- 3.9.0 alpha 3: Monday, 2019-12-16
- 3.9.0 alpha 4: Monday, 2020-01-13
- 3.9.0 alpha 5: Monday, 2020-02-17
- 3.9.0 alpha 6: Monday, 2020-03-16
- 3.9.0 alpha 7: Monday, 2020-04-13
- 3.9.0 beta 1: Monday, 2020-05-18
  (No new features beyond this point.)

- 3.9.0 beta 2: Monday, 2020-06-15
- 3.9.0 beta 3: Monday, 2020-07-13
- 3.9.0 beta 4: Monday, 2020-08-17
- 3.9.0 candidate 1: Monday, 2020-09-14
- 3.9.0 candidate 2: Monday, 2020-09-21 (if necessary)
- 3.9.0 final: Monday, 2020-10-05

Subsequent bugfix releases at a monthly cadence.


3.9 Lifespan
------------

3.9 will receive bugfix updates approximately every month for
approximately 12 months.  After the release of 3.10.0 final, a final
3.9 bugfix update will be released.  After that, it is expected that
security updates (source only) will be released until 5 years after
the release of 3.9 final, so until approximately October 2025.


Features for 3.9
================

Nothing yet, go write a PEP!


Copyright
=========

This document has been placed in the public domain.


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