DOCSP-13063 update versioning page for CD

Author: andf-mongodb

source/reference/versioning.txt

@@ -4,42 +4,94 @@
 MongoDB Versioning
 ==================
 
-
 .. important:: 
 
    Always upgrade to the latest stable revision of your release series.
 
-MongoDB versioning has the form ``X.Y.Z`` where ``X.Y``
-refers to either a release series or development series and ``Z``
-refers to the revision/patch number.
+MongoDB versioning has the form ``X.Y.Z`` where ``X.Y`` refers to the
+release series and ``Z`` refers to the patch number.
+
+Starting with MongoDB 5.0, MongoDB is released as two different release
+series:
+
+- Long Term Support (LTS) Releases
+- Continuous Releases
+
+Long Term Support (LTS) Releases
+--------------------------------
 
-- If ``Y`` is even, ``X.Y`` refers to a release series; for example,
-  ``4.0`` release series and ``4.2`` release series. Release series are
-  **stable** and suitable for production.
+Long Term Support (LTS) Releases are made available approximately once
+a year, and generally mark the introduction of new features and
+improvements that may break backwards compatibility. Long Term Support
+Releases are appropriate for all MongoDB deployments.
 
-- If ``Y`` is odd, ``X.Y`` refers to a development series; for example,
-  ``4.1`` development series and ``4.3`` development series.
-  Development series are **for testing only and not for production**.
+*Example versions:*
 
-For example, in MongoDB version ``4.0.12``, ``4.0`` refers to the
-release series and ``.12`` refers to the revision.
+- ``5.0``
+- ``6.0``
 
-New Releases
-------------
+Continuous Releases
+-------------------
 
-Changes in the release series (e.g. ``4.0`` to ``4.2``) generally mark
-the introduction of new features that may break backwards compatibility.
+Continuous Releases are made available approximately once each quarter
+that does not contain an :abbr:`LTS (Long Term Support)` release, and
+generally mark the introduction of new features and improvements.
+Continuous Releases are designed for use with `MongoDB Atlas
+<https://www.mongodb.com/cloud/atlas?tck=docs_server>`_, and are not
+generally supported for use in an on-premise capacity. Continuous
+Releases are not available for use with `MongoDB Ops Manager
+<https://docs.opsmanager.mongodb.com/current/?tck=docs_server>`_.
+
+*Example versions:*
+
+- ``5.1``
+- ``5.2``
+- ``5.3``
 
 Patch Releases
 --------------
 
-Changes to the revision number (e.g. ``4.0.11`` to ``4.0.12``)
-generally mark the release of bug fixes and backwards-compatible
-changes.
+Patch Releases are made available as needed to both
+:abbr:`LTS (Long Term Support)` and Continuous Releases, and generally
+include bug fixes and backwards-compatible changes.
+
+*Example versions:*
+
+- ``5.0.1`` (an LTS patch release)
+- ``5.2.1`` (a Continuous patch release)
+
+Release Candidate (RC) Releases
+-------------------------------
+
+In advance of new :abbr:`LTS (Long Term Support)` or Continuous
+Releases, Release Candidates are made available for early testing. A
+Release Candidate represents a version of the upcoming release that is
+stable enough to begin testing, but is not suitable for production
+deployment.
+
+*Example versions:*
+
+- ``5.0.0-rc0``
+- ``5.0.0-rc1``
+- ``5.1.2-rc5``
 
 Driver Versions
 ---------------
 
 The version numbering system for MongoDB differs from the system
-used for the MongoDB drivers.
+used for the :ecosystem:`MongoDB drivers </drivers>`.
+
+MongoDB Shell (``mongosh``)
+---------------------------
+
+Starting with MongoDB 5.0, the `MongoDB Shell
+<https://docs.mongodb.com/mongodb-shell/>`__ (``mongosh``) is released
+separately from the MongoDB Server, and uses its own version numbering
+system.
+
+Database Tools
+--------------
 
+Starting with MongoDB 4.4, the `MongoDB Database Tools
+<https://docs.mongodb.com/database-tools>`__ are released separately
+from the MongoDB Server, and use their own version numbering system.