Use a custom version parser

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 12 views

Introduction

In software development, versioning is a crucial aspect of managing dependencies and ensuring compatibility. However, when dealing with string-based versions, issues can arise. This article explores a specific problem related to string-based versions and discusses potential solutions.

The Problem

The issue at hand is caused by a NumberFormatException when trying to parse a string-based version. The error message indicates that the input string "insiders" cannot be converted to a number, resulting in a java.lang.NumberFormatException.

Error Message

The error message is as follows:

2025-03-11 16:21:16,591 ERROR [io.qua.ver.htt.run.QuarkusErrorHandler] (executor-thread-83) HTTP Request to /maven2/org/mvnpm/at/tailwindcss/typography/0.5.16/typography-0.5.16.tgz failed, error id: 15c3cf42-9aab-44b1-b708-641e81b6cde8-13: io.mvnpm.version.InvalidVersionException: java.lang.NumberFormatException: For input string: "insiders"
at io.mvnpm.version.Version.fromString(Version.java:41)
at io.mvnpm.version.VersionConverter.convertX(VersionConverter.java:233)

Root Cause

The root cause of this issue is a specific entry in the package.json file of the tailwindcss-typography project:

https://github.com/tailwindlabs/tailwindcss-typography/blob/main/package.json#L33

This entry contains a string-based version "insiders" which cannot be parsed as a number, resulting in the NumberFormatException.

Potential Solutions

There are several potential solutions to this issue:

1. Log a Warning and Ignore the Version

One possible solution is to log a warning and ignore the version. This approach would prevent the application from crashing due to the invalid version, but it would also mean that the version would not be taken into account.

2. Use a Custom Version Parser

Another solution is to use a custom version parser that can handle string-based versions. This parser would need to be able to recognize and parse the "insiders" version correctly.

3. Update the `package.json` File

A more permanent solution would be to update the package.json file to use a valid version number instead of the string "insiders".

4. Use a Dependency Management Tool

Using a dependency management tool like Maven or Gradle can help to manage dependencies and ensure that the correct versions are used.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue with string-based versions is a common problem that can arise when dealing with versioning in software development. The potential solutions discussed in this article include logging a warning and ignoring the version, using a custom version parser, updating the package.json file, and using a dependency management tool. By understanding the root cause of the issue and exploring these potential solutions, developers can ensure that their applications are able to handle string-based versions correctly.

Recommendations

Based on the analysis of the issue, the following recommendations can be made:

Use a custom version parser: A custom version parser can be used to handle string-based versions correctly.
Update the package.json file: Updating the package.json file to use a valid version number instead of the string "insiders" is a more permanent solution.
Use a dependency management tool: Using a dependency management tool like Maven or Gradle can help to manage dependencies and ensure that the correct versions are used.

Future Work

Future work on this issue could include:

Developing a custom version parser: Developing a custom version parser that can handle string-based versions correctly.
Updating the package.json file: Updating the package.json file to use a valid version number instead of the string "insiders".
Using a dependency management tool: Using a dependency management tool like Maven or Gradle to manage dependencies and ensure that the correct versions are used.

Q: What is the issue with string-based versions?

A: The issue with string-based versions is that they cannot be parsed as numbers, resulting in a NumberFormatException. This can cause problems when trying to compare or manipulate versions.

Q: What is the root cause of this issue?

A: The root cause of this issue is a specific entry in the package.json file of the tailwindcss-typography project. This entry contains a string-based version "insiders" which cannot be parsed as a number.

Q: What are the potential solutions to this issue?

A: There are several potential solutions to this issue:

Log a warning and ignore the version: This approach would prevent the application from crashing due to the invalid version, but it would also mean that the version would not be taken into account.
Use a custom version parser: A custom version parser can be used to handle string-based versions correctly.
Update the package.json file: Updating the package.json file to use a valid version number instead of the string "insiders" is a more permanent solution.
Use a dependency management tool: Using a dependency management tool like Maven or Gradle can help to manage dependencies and ensure that the correct versions are used.

Q: What are the benefits of using a custom version parser?

A: Using a custom version parser can provide several benefits, including:

Improved version handling: A custom version parser can handle string-based versions correctly, reducing the risk of errors and crashes.
Increased flexibility: A custom version parser can be designed to handle a wide range of version formats and syntax.
Better error handling: A custom version parser can provide more informative error messages, making it easier to diagnose and fix issues.

Q: What are the benefits of updating the `package.json` file?

A: Updating the package.json file to use a valid version number instead of the string "insiders" can provide several benefits, including:

Improved version consistency: Using a valid version number can ensure that the version is consistent across all dependencies and projects.
Reduced errors: Using a valid version number can reduce the risk of errors and crashes caused by invalid version numbers.
Easier maintenance: Updating the package.json file can make it easier to maintain and update dependencies and projects.

Q: What are the benefits of using a dependency management tool?

A: Using a dependency management tool like Maven or Gradle can provide several benefits, including:

Improved dependency management: A dependency management tool can help to manage dependencies and ensure that the correct versions are used.
Reduced errors: A dependency management tool can reduce the risk of errors and crashes caused by invalid version numbers.
Easier maintenance: A dependency management tool can make it easier to maintain and update dependencies and projects.

Q: What are the best practices for handling string-based versions?

A: The best practices for handling string-based versions include:

Using a custom version parser: A custom version parser can be used to handle string-based versions correctly.
Updating the package.json file: Updating the package.json file to use a valid version number instead of the string "insiders" is a more permanent solution.
Using a dependency management tool: Using a dependency management tool like Maven or Gradle can help to manage dependencies and ensure that the correct versions are used.

Q: What are the common mistakes to avoid when handling string-based versions?

A: The common mistakes to avoid when handling string-based versions include:

Not using a custom version parser: Not using a custom version parser can lead to errors and crashes caused by invalid version numbers.
Not updating the package.json file: Not updating the package.json file can lead to errors and crashes caused by invalid version numbers.
Not using a dependency management tool: Not using a dependency management tool can lead to errors and crashes caused by invalid version numbers.