Backward and forward compatibility between versions of Sparx EA and PCS

[Modesto Vega]

Is anybody aware of any official content covering backward and forward compatibility between versions of Sparx EA and PCS, both major and minor.

For example, is Sparx EA version 17 compatible with PCS 5? Is version 16 compatible with version 6? Can the latest build of version 17 run on PCS 6.0?

The same question has gone to the Sparx support team.

[Geert Bellekens]

I don't know of any official statements, but in practice EA is very good in maintaining compatibility between versions.
In fact so good that they will explicitly warn you when this is not the case.

Geert

[Modesto Vega]

Thank you Geert, just to be more specific we are currently running PCS v5.1.128 with a variety of Saprx EA v16.x builds. One of the reasons for the question is to gather some information/experience on adding Sparx EA v17.x to the mix without upgrading PCS.

[Geert Bellekens]

Thank you Geert, just to be more specific we are currently running PCS v5.1.128 with a variety of Saprx EA v16.x builds. One of the reasons for the question is to gather some information/experience on adding Sparx EA v17.x to the mix without upgrading PCS.

I'm 99.9% sure that will work without a problem.

If it were my client I wouldn't even hesitate to install v17.1 and start using it.

Geert

[Modesto Vega]

Official Sparx Systems response is below.

Please note that the latest version of Enterprise Architect (EA) is compatible with Pro Cloud Server (PCS) version 5.x.

However, we cannot guarantee that all functions will work correctly in this combination.

Therefore, we highly recommend upgrading to the latest versions to take advantage of enhanced features and bug fixes.

[..]

Kindly note that Enterprise Architect v17.x and Pro Cloud Server v6.x are the officially supported versions. Previous versions are no longer officially supported.

In short, it is compatible but not supported.

[Geert Bellekens]

In short, it is compatible but not supported.

The question here is, what does that mean?
How is "supported" different from "not supported"?

Geert

[Modesto Vega]

In short, it is compatible but not supported.

The question here is, what does that mean?
How is "supported" different from "not supported"?

Geert

Exactly, and with 4 releases of Sparx EA since May 2025 and 2 of PCS, upgrades have become too frequent and bigger job.