Sun B2B Suite ASC X12 Protocol Manager User's Guide

Backward Compatibility

Each version of X12 is slightly different. Each new version has some new transactions. In addition, existing transactions can change from version to version.

New versions of X12 are usually backward-compatible. However, this compatibility is not a requirement of the X12 rules. You cannot assume that different versions of X12 are always completely backward-compatible.

You can expect that when you analyze the differences, only a few minor changes are required in the message structures. Therefore, it is recommended that, when you are using a new version or messaging between different versions, you make sure to be thoroughly familiar with any possible compatibility issues.


Note –

In this context, “backward compatibility” means that software that parses one version can, in some circumstances, be unable to parse the next version, even if the software ignores any unexpected new segments, data elements at the end of segments, and sub-elements at the end of composite data elements. No backward compatibility means that required segments can disappear entirely, data elements can change format and usage, and required data elements can become optional.