Implement policy for Python, C++, and CMake versions (#3035)

docs/source/devguide/index.rst

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ other related topics.
     contributing
     workflow
     styleguide
+    policies
     tests
     user-input
     docbuild

docs/source/devguide/policies.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+.. _devguide_policies:
+
+========
+Policies
+========
+
+---------------------
+Python Version Policy
+---------------------
+
+OpenMC follows the Scientific Python Ecosystem Coordination guidelines `SPEC 0
+<https://scientific-python.org/specs/spec-0000/>`_ on minimum supported
+versions, which recommends that support for Python versions be dropped 3 years
+after their initial release.
+
+-------------------
+C++ Standard Policy
+-------------------
+
+C++ code in OpenMC must conform to the most recent C++ standard that is fully
+supported in the `version of the gcc compiler
+<https://gcc.gnu.org/projects/cxx-status.html>`_ that is distributed with the
+oldest version of Ubuntu that is still within its `standard support period
+<https://ubuntu.com/about/release-cycle>`_. Ubuntu 20.04 LTS will be supported
+through April 2025 and is distributed with gcc 9.3.0, which fully supports the
+C++17 standard.
+
+--------------------
+CMake Version Policy
+--------------------
+
+Similar to the C++ standard policy, the minimum supported version of CMake
+corresponds to whatever version is distributed with the oldest version of Ubuntu
+still within its standard support period. Ubuntu 20.04 LTS is distributed with
+CMake 3.16.

docs/source/devguide/styleguide.rst

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ Follow the `C++ Core Guidelines`_ except when they conflict with another
 guideline listed here. For convenience, many important guidelines from that
 list are repeated here.
 
-Conform to the C++14 standard.
+Conform to the C++17 standard.
 
 Always use C++-style comments (``//``) as opposed to C-style (``/**/``). (It
 is more difficult to comment out a large section of code that uses C-style