Update to 4.23 or not for Win 7 PC

DWC121 · 09-13-2020, 08:34 PM

My Calibre program on my Windows 7 PC gave me a pop-up window that said there was an update (4.23.0). At the bottom of the program's window it also says there's an update. On the update page (https://calibre-ebook.com/download_windows64) it says in the Note area "If you are using Windows 7 or Vista please, use calibre 3.48...".

Since I'm using Windows 7, do I update to 4.23.0 like the program suggests or not?

David

JSWolf · 09-13-2020, 09:46 PM

Go ahead and update. It might work and if not, you can always uninstall and go back to 3.48.

kovidgoyal · 09-13-2020, 10:19 PM

3.48 is the last version guaranteed to work on windows 7. It is best to stick with it, until you move off windows 7

richieadler · 10-08-2020, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

3.48 is the last version guaranteed to work on windows 7. It is best to stick with it, until you move off windows 7

I think that this comment doesn't convey the whole situation: Calibre 5 doesn't install at all in Windows 7.

I think this should be indicated prominently in the "What's new" section in the Web site and in the news for version 5.0. I'd say this is very important information.

ownedbycats · 10-08-2020, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Go ahead and update. It might work and if not, you can always uninstall and go back to 3.48.

But databases may be incompatible and I'm not sure what might happen if you downgrade.

I suggest grabbing the portable version and testing with that.

gbm · 10-08-2020, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Go ahead and update. It might work and if not, you can always uninstall and go back to 3.48.

Will you please quit giving people bad advice.

From New in calibre 5.0--Backwards incompatibilities

Quote:

Because of the support for library wide annotations, the database format was slightly changed. While calibre 4.23 is able to open and operate with calibre 5 databases, older versions of calibre may have trouble.

bernie

DNSB · 10-08-2020, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbm

Will you please quit giving people bad advice.

From New in calibre 5.0--Backwards incompatibilities

Quote:

Because of the support for library wide annotations, the database format was slightly changed. While calibre 4.23 is able to open and operate with calibre 5 databases, older versions of calibre may have trouble.

bernie

Ummm... it did sound as the OP was planning on going to 4.23 not 5.x.x so the database incompatibility would not come into play. I have not seen any reports of reverting to 3.48 from 4.23 causing database compatibility issues.

So my advice would have been to try the 4.23 update and if the OP doesn't run into issues, stay on that release. If he does run into issues, revert back to 3.48.

ownedbycats · 10-08-2020, 05:06 PM

But if 4.23 is compatible with 5.xx, that means that the database changes are likely present in 4.23.

JSWolf · 10-08-2020, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbm

Will you please quit giving people bad advice.

From New in calibre 5.0--Backwards incompatibilities

bernie

You've got it all wrong. The database was not changed in 4.23. The database was changed in 5.0. 4.23 is able to read the 5.x database but 4.23 will not change the database. So trying 4.23 and going back to 3.48 is not going to be a problem.

Please read more carefully before making accusatory posts.

ownedbycats · 10-08-2020, 05:15 PM

Where does it say 4.23 won't change the database?

JSWolf · 10-08-2020, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Where does it say 4.23 won't change the database?

This says that 5.x will change the database and that 4.23 will be able to read it. It does not say that 4.23 changes the database.

https://calibre-ebook.com/new-in/fourteen

Quote:

There are a few minor backwards incompatibilities to be aware of in calibre 5

Because calibre has now moved to Python 3, some third party plugins will no longer work, until they are also ported to Python 3. For status on the plugin porting effort, see here.
Because of the support for library wide annotations, the database format was slightly changed. While calibre 4.23 is able to open and operate with calibre 5 databases, older versions of calibre may have trouble.

ownedbycats · 10-08-2020, 05:35 PM

Ok I check in SQLiteStudio. The main difference in 5.0 database seems to be these new tables.

Click image for larger version

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They dont seem to be present in a freshly-created test database in 4.23 portable.

kovidgoyal · 10-08-2020, 10:12 PM

No 4.23 does not change the database, it is simply compiled with sqlite's fts5 engine, which is needed to work with calibre 5 databases. Older versions of calibre may or may not be compiled with fts support depending on platform (IIRC the linux builds have it, the windows builds dont, cant recall the situation on macs).

Actual backwards incompatible changes to the database schema in calibre are vanishingly rare. The database mostly evolves by adding tables not changing existing ones.

PlayaCat · 10-29-2020, 02:57 PM

I have worked as a software consultant with Microsoft since DOS 1.1. I know that some MS operating systems are very good (Windows 3.1, the last NT, XP SP3 and Windows 7 SP1. Windows 8 and 8.1 were horror shows, but NOT AS BAD AS THE CONSTANTLY IN TROUBLE Window 10 and its many upgrades that break more than they fix. Windows 10 is a continuing abortion. I know from insiders at MS that there is already a group researching a complete greenfield replacement for the troubled Windows 10.

I use Windows 7 SP1 as do most of my Fortune 50 clients that use Windows at all (some still use XP SP3 with third-party paid support - I've run XP on a separate machine 24/7 since it first came out - I was a beta tester - and to this day, it's never BSOD'd on me). Linux is gradually replacing Windows in many companies sick of Win 10. I have been continuing to upgrade Calibre on my Windows 7 main computer through version 4.23 and it works very well - no problems with it and my external plugins.

WHY DID YOU DESIGN 5.0 TO DROP SUPPORT FOR WINDOWS 7? Even my newest HP laptop I was able to arrange to get with 7 on it instead of 10. Am I going to have to move to my VM copy of Ubuntu to run 5.0+?

Also, is it possible for me to keep my 4.23 copy of Calibre on my Windows 7 machine and install a retro copy of 3.48 in a separate directory subtree? Will they both share resources or maintain separate resources?

Python 3.x is dramatically different and not backward compatible with 2.7, so some of my plugins have NOT been updated to Python 3.x and would be non longer usable on Calibre 5.x

Otherwise, I guess I'm stuck on 4.23 for the future. Sad...

ownedbycats · 10-29-2020, 03:21 PM

Because the version of Qt that Calibre uses isn't fully compatible with Windows 7.

You can use a portable version if you want two separate Calibre installations.

09-13-2020, 08:34 PM	#1
DWC121 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: United States Device: none	Update to 4.23 or not for Win 7 PC My Calibre program on my Windows 7 PC gave me a pop-up window that said there was an update (4.23.0). At the bottom of the program's window it also says there's an update. On the update page (https://calibre-ebook.com/download_windows64) it says in the Note area "If you are using Windows 7 or Vista please, use calibre 3.48...". Since I'm using Windows 7, do I update to 4.23.0 like the program suggests or not? David

10-08-2020, 05:35 PM	#12
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,969 Karma: 75337983 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	Ok I check in SQLiteStudio. The main difference in 5.0 database seems to be these new tables. They dont seem to be present in a freshly-created test database in 4.23 portable.

10-29-2020, 02:57 PM	#14
PlayaCat Professional Misanthrope Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Jacksonville, FL Device: none	Dropped support for Windows 7 I have worked as a software consultant with Microsoft since DOS 1.1. I know that some MS operating systems are very good (Windows 3.1, the last NT, XP SP3 and Windows 7 SP1. Windows 8 and 8.1 were horror shows, but NOT AS BAD AS THE CONSTANTLY IN TROUBLE Window 10 and its many upgrades that break more than they fix. Windows 10 is a continuing abortion. I know from insiders at MS that there is already a group researching a complete greenfield replacement for the troubled Windows 10. I use Windows 7 SP1 as do most of my Fortune 50 clients that use Windows at all (some still use XP SP3 with third-party paid support - I've run XP on a separate machine 24/7 since it first came out - I was a beta tester - and to this day, it's never BSOD'd on me). Linux is gradually replacing Windows in many companies sick of Win 10. I have been continuing to upgrade Calibre on my Windows 7 main computer through version 4.23 and it works very well - no problems with it and my external plugins. WHY DID YOU DESIGN 5.0 TO DROP SUPPORT FOR WINDOWS 7? Even my newest HP laptop I was able to arrange to get with 7 on it instead of 10. Am I going to have to move to my VM copy of Ubuntu to run 5.0+? Also, is it possible for me to keep my 4.23 copy of Calibre on my Windows 7 machine and install a retro copy of 3.48 in a separate directory subtree? Will they both share resources or maintain separate resources? Python 3.x is dramatically different and not backward compatible with 2.7, so some of my plugins have NOT been updated to Python 3.x and would be non longer usable on Calibre 5.x Otherwise, I guess I'm stuck on 4.23 for the future. Sad...

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09-13-2020, 09:46 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,740 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Go ahead and update. It might work and if not, you can always uninstall and go back to 3.48.

09-13-2020, 10:19 PM	#3
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,343 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	3.48 is the last version guaranteed to work on windows 7. It is best to stick with it, until you move off windows 7

10-08-2020, 05:06 PM	#8
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,969 Karma: 75337983 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	But if 4.23 is compatible with 5.xx, that means that the database changes are likely present in 4.23.

10-08-2020, 05:15 PM	#10
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,969 Karma: 75337983 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	Where does it say 4.23 won't change the database?

10-08-2020, 10:12 PM	#13
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,343 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	No 4.23 does not change the database, it is simply compiled with sqlite's fts5 engine, which is needed to work with calibre 5 databases. Older versions of calibre may or may not be compiled with fts support depending on platform (IIRC the linux builds have it, the windows builds dont, cant recall the situation on macs). Actual backwards incompatible changes to the database schema in calibre are vanishingly rare. The database mostly evolves by adding tables not changing existing ones.

10-29-2020, 03:21 PM	#15
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,969 Karma: 75337983 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	Because the version of Qt that Calibre uses isn't fully compatible with Windows 7. You can use a portable version if you want two separate Calibre installations.

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