When stating system requirements, different people use different phrases:
"ABC requires MyProduct version x.x or better"
"..or higher"
"..or later"

I would like to make a deliberate decision which one to use. 
Which is to prefer and why? Or is it really just a matter of taste?
Thank you!

lijin...

A typical example of this is the DirectX software made
by Microsoft for the enhancement of multimedia programs.

A quick search of the terms "requires DirectX 8.0", which
is an older version of DirectX, shows 1,580,000 results:
://www.google.com/search?q=%22requires+DirectX+8.0+or+higher

If you browse through the results, you will find all sorts
of multimedia programs, including games, video editing tools,
a model airplane color designer, a karaoke program, and so on.
All of these will simply not work without the version of 
DirectX specified, or a later, higher version, such as 9.0.

So if you decided to stick with DirectX 8.0, you would be 
unable to use many programs designed to work with DirectX 9.0,
as shown in the 505 search results for "requires DirectX 9.0":
://www.google.com/search?q=%22requires+DirectX+9.0%22

In general, there is no disadvantage with the prospect of
upgrading to the latest version of DirectX. It's free and
unlikely to cause any problems with your computer. However,
sometimes you may find that an older game needs DirectX 7.0,
and simply won't work with DirectX 9.0. In this case, you 
would lose the ability to play that game if you installed
version 9. This is usually offset by the game manufacturer
having released a newer version of the game which is
compatible with DirectX 9.0. The newer version of the game
will take advantage of all the advanced features of DirectX
9.0, resulting in better graphics and sound, but you will
probably have to purchase the newer version of the game.
If you're lucky, the game manufacturer may make the newer
version available as an 'upgrade' to owners of a previous
version. This is the case with many software companies.
But in many cases, this will not occur, and the newer
version must be purchased outright.

Other programs where you will commonly see the phrase
"requires version such and such" are Windows Media Player,
Real Player, and Quicktime Media Player. Newer versions
of video clips shown on various websites may be unusable
for people who have an older version of, say, Windows
Media Player. If you want to watch the clip, you may 
have to upgrade to the 'latest version' of Windows Media
Player, which is also free, but requires more space on
your hard drive than the older version, and has a more
complex interface than some people would like.

Only to the degree that you are willing to live without
playing certain games, or being able to view certain
video clips, is it really a matter of choice. 

I use Windows Media Player 6.4, which is extremely
outdated in contrast with their latest, version 9.
I live with the fact that, occasionally, I will
come across a video clip that requires a higher
version. But I prefer the smaller program size,
and simpler interface.


Please do not rate this answer until you are satisfied that  
the answer cannot be improved upon by way of a dialog  
established through the "Request for Clarification" process. 

sublime1-ga


Searches done, via Google:

"requires DirectX 8.0 or higher"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22requires+DirectX+8.0+or+higher%22

"requires DirectX 9.0 or higher"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22requires+DirectX+9.0+or+higher%22

---

Request for Answer Clarification by lijin-ga on 10 May 2004 11:42 PDT

sublime1,

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. However, I fear
you totally misunderstood it. I'm sorry if I did not phrase it
properly.
This is rather a *linguistic question* than a question addressing a
particular product like DirectX. The "x.x" in my question was meant to
be a placeholder for "an arbitary version" while "MyProduct" should
serve as a generic product name.

What I really wanted to know:
When using English language what is the most common/accepted way *to
express* that a certain version number of *any kind of software* or a
*more recent* version of that software is required to guarantee a
certain functionality.
Obviously Microsoft used "DirectX 8.0 or higher", which is probably in
compliance with their style manual or some wording guidelines they
have.
But *in general* is that phrase more accepted than saying "DirectX 8.0
or better" or "DirectX 8.0 or later"?

I am willing to accept your answer as it is because I can see how I
should have been more careful about the way I ask my question.
I would then however leave the answer unrated and repost my question.
I assume that will probably be less detrimental for you than getting a
bad rating.
Feel free to clarify your answer but I will not hold it against you if you don't.

Regards,
Li Jin

---

Clarification of Answer by sublime1-ga on 10 May 2004 14:22 PDT

lijin...

Ah. I get it now.

The phrases 'or higher' and 'or later' really mean the same
thing, since the later version *always* has a higher number.
'Or better' would usually be assumed to mean the same, as well,
since the later version is supposed to be enhanced with features
lacking in earlier versions. However, as I noted in regard to
Windows Media Player, the later versions are not necessarily
better to me and a lot of other users, so I would personally
avoid this terminology.

Also note that in the sentences above, I referred to later
and earlier versions. While 'higher' versions is easy to say,
when you want to speak of the opposite, it is awkward to 
talk of 'lower' versions. For this reason, I find 'earlier'
and 'later' versions to be more useful descriptors.

That's my view on it, but, in the end, it *is* just a matter
of personal preference.

Hope that helps...

sublime1-ga

After a little detour I got the answer I was looking for. Nice. :)