Cannot get latest version: module contains a go.mod file, so module path should be github.com/blockcypher/libgrin/v3

[KateGo520]

Background

The github.com/blockcypher/libgrin uses Go modules and the current release version is v3. And it’s module path is "github.com/blockcypher/libgrin", instead of "github.com/blockcypher/libgrin/v3". It must comply with the specification of "Releasing Modules for v2 or higher" available in the Modules documentation. Quoting the specification:

A package that has opted in to modules must include the major version in the import path to import any v2+ modules
To preserve import compatibility, the go command requires that modules with major version v2 or later use a module path with that major version as the final element. For example, version v2.0.0 of example.com/m must instead use module path example.com/m/v2.
https://github.com/golang/go/wiki/Modules#releasing-modules-v2-or-higher

Steps to Reproduce

GO111MODULE=on, run go get targeting any version >= v3.0.0 of the blockcypher/libgrin:

$ go get github.com/blockcypher/[email protected]
go get github.com/blockcypher/[email protected]: github.com/blockcypher/[email protected]: invalid version: module contains a go.mod file, so major version must be compatible: should be v0 or v1, not v3

run go get github.com/blockcypher/libgrin, the version will stuck in v2.0.0:

$go get github.com/blockcypher/libgrin
go: downloading github.com/blockcypher/libgrin v2.0.0+incompatible
go: github.com/blockcypher/libgrin upgrade => v2.0.0+incompatible

SO anyone using Go modules will not be able to easily use any newer version of blockcypher/libgrin.

Solution

1. Kill the go.mod files, rolling back to GOPATH.

This would push them back to not being managed by Go modules (instead of incorrectly using Go modules).
Ensure compatibility for downstream module-aware projects and module-unaware projects projects

2. Fix module path to strictly follow SIV rules.

Patch the go.mod file to declare the module path as github.com/blockcypher/libgrin/v3 as per the specs. And adjust all internal imports.
The downstream projects might be negatively affected in their building if they are module-unaware (Go versions older than 1.9.7 and 1.10.3; Or use third-party dependency management tools, such as: Dep, glide,govendor…).

If you don't want to break the above repos. This method can provides better backwards-compatibility.
Release a v2 or higher module through the major subdirectory strategy: Create a new v3 subdirectory (github.com/blockcypher/libgrin/v3) and place a new go.mod file in that subdirectory. The module path must end with /v3. Copy or move the code into the v3 subdirectory. Update import statements within the module to also use /v3 (import "github.com/blockcypher/libgrin/v3/…"). Tag the release with v3.x.y.

3. Suggest your downstream module users use hash instead of a version tag.

If the standard rule of go modules conflicts with your development mode. Or not intended to be used as a library and does not make any guarantees about the API. So you can’t comply with the specification of "Releasing Modules for v2 or higher" available in the Modules documentation.
Regardless, since it's against one of the design choices of Go, it'll be a bit of a hack. Instead of go get github.com/blockcypher/libgrin@version-tag, module users need to use this following way to get the blockcypher/libgrin:
(1) Search for the tag you want (in browser)
(2) Get the commit hash for the tag you want
(3) Run go get github.com/blockcypher/libgrin@commit-hash
(4) Edit the go.mod file to put a comment about which version you actually used
This will make it difficult for module users to get and upgrade blockcypher/libgrin.

Summary

You can make a choice to fix DM issues by balancing your own development schedules/mode against the affects on the downstream projects.

For this issue, Solution 2 can maximize your benefits and with minimal impacts to your downstream projects the ecosystem.

References

• https://github.com/golang/go/wiki/Modules#semantic-import-versioning
• https://golang.org/cmd/go/#hdr-Module_compatibility_and_semantic_versioning
• https://github.com/golang/go/wiki/Modules#releasing-modules-v2-or-higher

[KateGo520]

@quentinlesceller @asciiu Could you help me review this issue? Thx :p

[quentinlesceller]

Hi @KateGo520 for some reasons I completely missed that you opened an issue on this repo. Sorry for that!
First of all thank you for the very detailed report along with all the possible solutions. I wish all the issue reports were like this :).
IMO it's okay to break compatibility for v4 so I chose to go with solution 2 (See #22). Would love to have your feedback on it.

[quentinlesceller]

Okay this seems fixed.