System and method for implementing data-compatibility-based version scheme

A system for enabling controlled distribution of software updates affecting an application installed on a plurality of terminal devices of a wireless network, the system comprising:

• a computing device connected to a data network for communicating with an application gateway mediating the data network and the wireless network;
• an application development environment (ADE) running on the computing device for enabling the application to be updated, the ADE including a versioning module for generating a single version number for said application, said version number defined by a plurality of fields representing different aspects of the application, said plurality of fields being separated from one another within said version number by a separator symbol, the versioning module causing said computing device to:
• compare an updated version of the application with a previous version of the application to determine what changes have been made to the different aspects of the application;
• increment the fields of the version number in response to the changes to the different aspects of the application;
• and
• communicate the version number of the updated application to the application gateway.

A method of implementing a versioning scheme for updates to a software application to be distributed to a plurality of wireless devices in a wireless network through an application gateway mediating the wireless network and a data network, the method comprising the steps of:

• defining an initial single version number corresponding to an initial version of the application, the version number having at least three fields defining a data components field, a message components field and a features field;
• incrementing the data components field in response to an update in an aspect of the application relating to data components;
• incrementing the message components field in response to an update in an aspect of the application relating to message components;
• and
• incrementing the features field in response to an update to an aspect of the application relating to features, whereby an updated version number is generated that is indicative of the compatibility of the update with previous versions of the application.