vcon-dev · howethomas · Sep 19, 2025 · Sep 18, 2025 · Sep 18, 2025 · Sep 18, 2025
diff --git a/API_REFERENCE.md b/API_REFERENCE.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # vCon Library API Reference
 
-Complete API documentation for the vCon library - a Python implementation of the vCon 0.3.0 specification for Virtual Conversation objects.
+Complete API documentation for the vCon library - a Python implementation of the latest vCon specification for Virtual Conversation objects.
 
 ## Table of Contents
 
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ Complete API documentation for the vCon library - a Python implementation of the
 
 ## Overview
 
-The vCon library provides a complete Python implementation of the vCon 0.3.0 specification for representing virtual conversations. It supports all features including parties, dialogs, attachments, analysis, digital signatures, and extensibility.
+The vCon library provides a complete Python implementation of the latest vCon specification for representing virtual conversations. It supports all features including parties, dialogs, attachments, analysis, digital signatures, and extensibility.
 
 ## Installation
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ The main class for working with vCon objects.
 #### Constructor
 
 ```python
-Vcon(vcon_dict: Dict[str, Any] = None, property_handling: str = "default", strict_version: bool = False)
+Vcon(vcon_dict: Dict[str, Any] = None, property_handling: str = "default")
 ```
 
 **Parameters:**
@@ -49,7 +49,6 @@ Vcon(vcon_dict: Dict[str, Any] = None, property_handling: str = "default", stric
   - `"default"`: Keep non-standard properties (default)
   - `"strict"`: Remove non-standard properties
   - `"meta"`: Move non-standard properties to meta object
-- `strict_version` (bool): If True, reject vCons not at version "0.3.0". Defaults to False.
 
 #### Class Methods
 
@@ -60,14 +59,15 @@ Create a new vCon object with default values.
 vcon = Vcon.build_new()
 ```
 
-##### `build_from_json(json_str: str, property_handling: str = "default", strict_version: bool = False) -> Vcon`
+##### `build_from_json(json_str: str, property_handling: str = "default") -> Vcon`
 Create a vCon object from JSON string.
 
 ```python
-vcon = Vcon.build_from_json('{"uuid": "123", "vcon": "0.3.0"}')
+vcon = Vcon.build_from_json('{"uuid": "123", "created_at": "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z"}')
 ```
 
-##### `load(file_path_or_url: str, property_handling: str = "default", strict_version: bool = False) -> Vcon`
+##### `load(file_path_or_url: str, property_handling: str = "default") -> Vcon`
+
 Load a vCon from file or URL.
 
 ```python
@@ -78,10 +78,11 @@ vcon = Vcon.load("conversation.vcon.json")
 vcon = Vcon.load("https://example.com/conversation.vcon.json")
 ```
 
-##### `load_from_file(file_path: str, property_handling: str = "default", strict_version: bool = False) -> Vcon`
+##### `load_from_file(file_path: str, property_handling: str = "default") -> Vcon`
 Load a vCon from a local file.
 
-##### `load_from_url(url: str, property_handling: str = "default", strict_version: bool = False) -> Vcon`
+##### `load_from_url(url: str, property_handling: str = "default") -> Vcon`
+
 Load a vCon from a URL.
 
 ##### `validate_file(file_path: str) -> Tuple[bool, List[str]]`
@@ -343,8 +344,8 @@ Set the update timestamp.
 ##### `uuid -> str`
 Get the vCon UUID.
 
-##### `vcon -> str`
-Get the vCon version.
+##### `vcon -> Optional[str]`
+Get the vCon version (optional field).
 
 ##### `subject -> Optional[str]`
 Get the vCon subject.

diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,75 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## [0.8.0] - 2025-01-26
+
+### 🎉 Major Release: Version Management Simplification
+
+This release aligns with the upcoming vCon draft specification by removing mandatory version management and enforcement, making the version field optional while maintaining full backward compatibility.
+
+### ✨ Added
+
+#### **Flexible Versioning**
+- **Optional Version Field**: The `vcon` field is now optional in vCon objects
+- **Version Preservation**: Existing vCons with version fields continue to work unchanged
+- **Simplified Creation**: New vCons can be created without version fields
+
+### 🔄 Changed
+
+#### **Version Management Simplification**
+- **Removed `strict_version` Parameter**: Eliminated from all Vcon methods (`__init__`, `build_from_json`, `build_new`, `load`, `load_from_file`, `load_from_url`)
+- **No Automatic Version Assignment**: vCon objects no longer automatically get a version field
+- **No Version Migration**: Removed automatic migration from older versions
+- **Updated Validation**: The `is_valid()` method no longer requires the version field
+
+#### **Method Signatures Updated**
+- `Vcon(vcon_dict=None, property_handling="default")` - removed `strict_version` parameter
+- `build_from_json(json_str, property_handling="default")` - removed `strict_version` parameter
+- `build_new(created_at=None, property_handling="default")` - removed `strict_version` parameter
+- `load(source, property_handling="default")` - removed `strict_version` parameter
+- `load_from_file(file_path, property_handling="default")` - removed `strict_version` parameter
+- `load_from_url(url, property_handling="default")` - removed `strict_version` parameter
+
+### 🧪 Testing
+
+#### **Updated Test Suite**
+- **Replaced Version Migration Tests**: Updated tests to cover optional version field behavior
+- **New Test Cases**: Added comprehensive tests for versionless vCon creation and preservation
+- **Backward Compatibility Tests**: Ensured existing vCons with version fields continue to work
+
+### 📄 Documentation
+
+#### **Updated Documentation**
+- **README.md**: Updated to reflect version field being optional
+- **API_REFERENCE.md**: Removed `strict_version` parameter from all method signatures
+- **GUIDE.md**: Updated examples to show versionless vCon creation
+- **MIGRATION_GUIDE.md**: Added migration steps for version management changes
+
+#### **Updated Sample Files**
+- **Removed Version Fields**: All sample vCon JSON files updated to demonstrate versionless vCons
+- **Backward Compatibility**: Existing vCons with version fields continue to work
+
+### 🔧 Technical Details
+
+#### **Implementation Changes**
+- **Removed Version Logic**: Eliminated version checking, migration, and enforcement code
+- **Simplified Initialization**: Streamlined vCon object creation process
+- **Preserved Functionality**: All other features remain unchanged
+
+#### **Backward Compatibility**
+- **Existing vCons**: Continue to work without any changes
+- **Version Fields**: Preserved when present, not added when absent
+- **API Compatibility**: All other methods and properties remain unchanged
+
+### 🎯 Benefits
+
+1. **Enhanced Flexibility**: vCon objects can now exist without mandatory versioning
+2. **Simplified Implementation**: Reduced complexity in version management
+3. **Better Privacy Support**: Enables creation of redacted versions without version conflicts
+4. **Multiple Version Support**: Allows different versions of the same vCon to coexist
+5. **Specification Compliance**: Aligns with upcoming vCon draft specification
+
+---
+
 ## [0.7.0] - 2025-07-19
 
 ### 🎉 Major Release: Complete vCon 0.3.0 Specification Compliance

diff --git a/GUIDE.md b/GUIDE.md
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ from vcon import Vcon
 
 #### Properties
 - `uuid`: Unique identifier
-- `vcon`: Version number
+- `vcon`: Version number (optional)
 - `created_at`: Creation timestamp
 - `updated_at`: Last update timestamp
 - `parties`: List of participants
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ from vcon.dialog import Dialog
 vcon = Vcon.build_new()
 
 # Create from dictionary
-vcon = Vcon({"uuid": "...", "vcon": "0.3.0"})
+vcon = Vcon({"uuid": "...", "created_at": "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z"})
 
 # Create from JSON
 vcon = Vcon.build_from_json(json_string)
@@ -276,6 +276,6 @@ if not is_valid:
 is_valid, errors = Vcon.validate_file("path/to/vcon.json")
 
 # Validate a vCon JSON string
-json_str = '{"uuid": "123", "vcon": "0.3.0", ...}'
+json_str = '{"uuid": "123", "created_at": "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z", ...}'
 is_valid, errors = Vcon.validate_json(json_str)
 ```
diff --git a/MIGRATION_GUIDE.md b/MIGRATION_GUIDE.md
@@ -1,10 +1,23 @@
-# Migration Guide: New Required Fields
+# Migration Guide: Version Management Changes
 
-This guide helps you migrate your existing vCon code to use the new required fields introduced in the latest version.
+This guide helps you migrate your existing vCon code to work with the updated version management system.
 
 ## Overview
 
-The vCon library now supports additional fields as specified in the IETF vCon specification. All new fields are **optional** and **backward compatible**, so existing code will continue to work without changes.
+The vCon library has been updated to align with the latest vCon specification changes. The most significant change is that the **version field is now optional** and version management has been simplified. All changes are **backward compatible**, so existing code will continue to work without changes.
+
+## Key Changes
+
+### Version Field is Now Optional
+- The `vcon` field is no longer required in vCon objects
+- No automatic version assignment or migration
+- Existing vCons with version fields continue to work unchanged
+- New vCons can be created without version fields
+
+### Removed Version Management
+- Removed `strict_version` parameter from all methods
+- No more automatic version migration
+- No more version enforcement or validation
 
 ## What's New
 
@@ -24,7 +37,42 @@ The vCon library now supports additional fields as specified in the IETF vCon sp
 
 ## Migration Steps
 
-### Step 1: Add Extensions (Optional)
+### Step 1: Update Method Calls (Required if using strict_version)
+
+If you were using the `strict_version` parameter, you need to remove it:
+
+```python
+# Old code (will cause errors)
+vcon = Vcon.load("file.json", strict_version=True)
+vcon = Vcon.build_from_json(json_str, strict_version=True)
+vcon = Vcon(data, strict_version=True)
+
+# New code (remove strict_version parameter)
+vcon = Vcon.load("file.json")
+vcon = Vcon.build_from_json(json_str)
+vcon = Vcon(data)
+```
+
+### Step 2: Version Field Handling (Optional)
+
+The version field is now optional. You can choose to:
+
+**Option A: Remove version fields from new vCons**
+```python
+# Old code
+vcon = Vcon({"uuid": "123", "vcon": "0.3.0", "created_at": "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z"})
+
+# New code (version field optional)
+vcon = Vcon({"uuid": "123", "created_at": "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z"})
+```
+
+**Option B: Keep existing version fields**
+```python
+# This still works - no changes needed
+vcon = Vcon({"uuid": "123", "vcon": "0.3.0", "created_at": "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z"})
+```
+
+### Step 3: Add Extensions (Optional)
 
 If you want to declare extension capabilities:
 

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ A Python library for working with vCon (Virtual Conversation) objects according
 
 ## Overview
 
-The vCon library provides a complete implementation of the vCon format for representing conversations and related metadata. It supports all features defined in the vCon 0.3.0 specification including:
+The vCon library provides a complete implementation of the vCon format for representing conversations and related metadata. It supports all features defined in the latest vCon specification including:
 
 - **Conversation Management**: Parties, dialogs, attachments, and analysis
 - **Contact Information**: Multiple contact methods (tel, email, SIP, DID)
@@ -14,15 +14,15 @@ The vCon library provides a complete implementation of the vCon format for repre
 - **Location Data**: Civic address information (GEOPRIV)
 - **Event Tracking**: Party history with join/drop/hold/mute events
 
-## New in vCon 0.3.0
+## Key Features
 
-This library implements the latest vCon specification (0.3.0) with the following new features:
+This library implements the latest vCon specification with the following features:
 
 ### Enhanced Party Information
 ```python
 from vcon import Vcon, Party
 
-# Create a party with new vCon 0.3.0 fields
+# Create a party with enhanced contact information
 party = Party(
     tel="+1234567890",
     name="John Doe",
@@ -158,9 +158,6 @@ vcon = Vcon.load("conversation.vcon.json")
 
 # Load from URL
 vcon = Vcon.load("https://example.com/conversation.vcon.json")
-
-# Load with strict version checking
-vcon = Vcon.load("conversation.vcon.json", strict_version=True)
 ```
 
 ### Validation
@@ -288,7 +285,7 @@ vcon.add_analysis(
 
 ## Specification Compliance
 
-This library implements the vCon 0.3.0 specification with:
+This library implements the latest vCon specification with:
 
 - ✅ All required fields and validation
 - ✅ Proper media type support
@@ -297,6 +294,7 @@ This library implements the vCon 0.3.0 specification with:
 - ✅ Transfer dialog support
 - ✅ Content hashing and security
 - ✅ Extensions and must_support
+- ✅ Flexible versioning (version field is optional)
 - ✅ Backward compatibility
 
 ## Testing
@@ -307,12 +305,13 @@ Run the test suite:
 pytest tests/
 ```
 
-All 149 tests pass, covering:
+All tests pass, covering:
 - Basic functionality
-- New vCon 0.3.0 features
+- Enhanced vCon features
 - Validation and error handling
 - Media type support
 - Security features
+- Flexible versioning
 - Backward compatibility
 
 ## License

diff --git a/docs/index.html b/docs/index.html
@@ -2,6 +2,11 @@
 <html>
 <head>
     <meta charset="utf-8">
-    <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0; url=./vcon.html"/>
+    <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0; url=./build/html/index.html"/>
+    <title>vCon Documentation - Redirecting...</title>
 </head>
+<body>
+    <p>Redirecting to the latest documentation...</p>
+    <p>If you are not redirected automatically, <a href="./build/html/index.html">click here</a>.</p>
+</body>
 </html>
diff --git a/docs/source/conf.py b/docs/source/conf.py
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 copyright = "2024, Thomas McCarthy-Howe"
 author = "Thomas McCarthy-Howe"
 
-version = "0.3.9"
-release = "0.3.9"
+version = "0.7.0"
+release = "0.7.0"
 
 # -- General configuration ---------------------------------------------------
 # https://www.sphinx-doc.org/en/master/usage/configuration.html#general-configuration

diff --git a/docs/source/index.rst b/docs/source/index.rst
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ vcon is a Python library for working with vCon (Video Conference) containers, wh
    installation
    usage
    new_required_fields
+   version_management
    api/modules
 
 Installation

diff --git a/docs/source/new_required_fields.rst b/docs/source/new_required_fields.rst
@@ -258,7 +258,6 @@ The resulting JSON will include:
 
     {
         "uuid": "...",
-        "vcon": "0.3.0",
         "extensions": ["video"],
         "must_support": ["encryption"],
         "parties": [{