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I suppose the meaning of the term depends on what we consider to be the subject of the compatibility.

- backwards compatible code: new code can run on an old interpreter

- backwards compatible interpreter: old code can run on a new interpreter

EDIT: After some thought, you're right. The second description is the reasonable interpretation.

"python 3.7 is backwards compatible with python 3.6"




This confusion reminds me of a scene from the 2002 film of Dave Barry's "Big Trouble".

(Driving to an airport) "Okay, we gotta pick a road. Arrivals or departures? We're arriving, but then we're departing."

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Big_Trouble

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjHHzZAUxbM&t=300




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