10.1. Qualified targets¶

Qualified targets are provided with the highest level of assurance and are qualified for use in safety-critical contexts.

Support is available. Known problems are tracked and available.

The full Ferrocene test suite is executed on the target before any change is merged.

Qualified targets have a two year support window from their release date. Qualified targets may be removed from future release after a deprecation period of 1 year after announcement or when circumstances outside our control require removal, for example when the target vendor no longer supports the target.

Most qualified targets come with a “certified equivalent” target. This certified target allows using the certified core library. The core library is not certified when using qualified targets, only when using certified targets. Refer to Certified targets.

Only stable releases of qualified targets are qualified. Other releases, such as beta, should be considered Quality Managed. Such releases can be qualified upon request.

10.2. Quality managed targets¶

Quality managed targets are targets which are suitable for use in production outside of safety critical contexts.

Support is available. Known problems are tracked and available.

The Ferrocene test suite is executed on the target prior to release.

Quality managed targets have a two year support window from their release date. Quality managed targets may be removed from future release after a deprecation period of 1 year after announcement or when circumstances outside our control require removal, for example when the target vendor no longer supports the target.

Quality managed targets are not qualified, but can usually be qualified on request.

10.3. Supported targets¶

Supported targets are targets which are suitable for use outside of safety-critical contexts, and may be suitable for production given adequate user testing.

Support is available. Known problems are tracked and documented, but are prioritized lower than Qualified or Quality Managed targets.

While supported targets are built and provided to customers, the Ferrocene test suite may not always be fully executed.

Supported targets may be removed from future release after a deprecation period of 1 year after announcement or when circumstances outside our control require removal, for example when the target vendor no longer supports the target.

Supported targets can often be qualified or quality managed upon request.

10.4. Experimental Targets¶

Experimental targets are provided as a preview and without any assurances. Use for production is generally not advised.

Limited support available. Known problems are not tracked.

The Ferrocene test suite may have been executed at some point.

Experimental targets may be removed for any reason without warning or deprecation period.

It is sometimes possible for Experimental targets to be qualified or quality managed upon request.

10.5. Unsupported targets¶

The Rust compiler includes support for additional targets that are not yet included in Ferrocene. If you need support for them please reach out to the Ferrocene support team.