Gluj Versions

Gluj Versions

Glue projects (.gluj/.glux) are versioned so that the editor and runtime can load older projects while still adding new features. Versions are tracked by the GluxVersions enum and LatestVersion constant in:

FRBDK/Glue/GlueCommon/SaveClasses/GlueProjectSave.cs

For background on what each version means and the historical context, see the official docs: https://docs.flatredball.com/flatredball/glue-reference/glujglux

When adding a new version

Adding a new entry to GluxVersions requires updating several places in lockstep. Miss one and projects will silently load with the wrong feature set.

1. Add the new enum entry at the bottom of GluxVersions with a dated comment describing what it represents.
2. Update LatestVersion to point at the new entry.
3. Update the SyntaxVersionAttribute on FlatRedBallServices so the runtime advertises the matching version.
4. Update the docs at the URL above.

Multiple enum entries can share the same integer value when several features land together — this is intentional and already common in the enum.

Retroactively gating a missed breaking change

Sometimes a breaking change ships without being gated behind a version, and the gap is only noticed after a later version has already been cut. In that case, do not invent a new version number. Instead, add a new enum entry at the same integer value as the most recent version that already shipped after the change, with a dated comment explaining the retroactive add. Upgrading to that version then pulls in both changes together.

Example: version 66 (GumHasGueVirtualIsPointInside, Jan 29 2026) was cut after a Jan 17 2026 change to PositionedNode.Tag that wasn't gated. The fix was to add PositionedNodeHasTag = 66 next to it, not to invent a 67.

When you do this, also gate the previously-ungated code in any embedded code files that reference the new API:

• If the embedded file does not already have a $GLUE_VERSIONS$ token at the very top, add one. That token is what the code generator replaces with #define lines for each enum symbol whose value is <= FileVersion. Without it, no #if SymbolName guard in the file will ever evaluate true.
• Wrap the new API usage in #if SymbolName || REFERENCES_FRB_SOURCE. The REFERENCES_FRB_SOURCE arm keeps the code live for projects that reference FRB as source rather than NuGet, where the symbol isn't defined but the API exists.

Embedded code files: where they live and conventions

Embedded code files are templates that get copied into user projects by plugins. They live under FRBDK/Glue/<Plugin>/EmbeddedCodeFiles/*.cs and are registered for inclusion via CodeItemAdderManager (e.g. FRBDK/Glue/TileGraphicsPlugin/TileGraphicsPlugin/Managers/CodeItemAdderManager.cs).

For a known-good reference of the $GLUE_VERSIONS$ + #if SymbolName || REFERENCES_FRB_SOURCE pattern, see FRBDK/Glue/TileGraphicsPlugin/TileGraphicsPlugin/EmbeddedCodeFiles/CollidableListVsTileShapeCollectionRelationship.cs.

Style: these files target older language levels because they get compiled into a wide range of user projects. Do not introduce C# 8 nullable reference annotations (object?, string?, etc.) just because your editor accepts them — match the surrounding sibling files, which use plain object / string.

Caveat: gating an added optional parameter

Wrapping a newly added optional parameter in #if is the standard pattern but it has a sharp edge: the parameter visibly disappears from the method signature on projects below the gating version. Callers passing the argument by position simply don't compile (loud, easy to fix), but callers passing it by name (FillFromPredicate(..., tagForAddedNodes: x)) get a confusing "no such parameter" error rather than a version-mismatch hint.

This is the price of supporting projects that don't pull FRB as source — every embedded file in the codebase does it the same way. Mention this tradeoff if a user is on the fence about gating vs. raising the minimum version.

When gating behavior on a version

Compare FileVersion against a named GluxVersions member, never a magic number:

if (this.FileVersion < (int)GluxVersions.SomeFeature) { ... }

This keeps the intent readable and survives renumbering.

Source: vchelaru/FlatRedBall — distributed by TomeVault.