Why did the version 5.1 bear after the version 5.0.26？

[formulation]

The official website tell us VirtualBox 5.0.26 was released on July 18，but VirtualBox 5.1 was released on July 12,2016. Why？ Normally，the version 5.1 should be released after 5.0

[socratis]

Some of the bug fixes for the 5.0.x series are happening in parallel with the 5.1.x series. Sometimes even the 4.3.x series. The schedule of the releases is something that the developers/managers decide. If I were to guess (and that's a big "if"), I would say that they have given priority to releasing the new 5.1.0 version with all its new features, and then they backported the bug fixes to the 5.0.x series. Don't be surprised if you see an update to the 4.3.x series later on.

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[Mod edit: Moved to "Using VirtualBox" from "VirtualBox Beta / Release Candidate Feedback"]

[mpack]

Normally，the version 5.1 should be released after 5.0

Only for a small software outfit that only maintains one code branch.

[michaln]

Pretty much. One might as well ask why Microsoft is still updating Windows 7 when Windows 10 is out.