.. _release_3.9:

What's new in NEST 3.9
======================

This page contains a summary of important breaking and non-breaking
changes from NEST 3.8 to NEST 3.9.

If you transition from an earlier version, please see our extensive
:ref:`transition guide from NEST 2.x to 3.0 <refguide_2_3>` and the
:ref:`list of updates for previous releases in the 3.x series <whats_new>`.


The release of 3.9 brought a lot of changes with 110 PRs
including 19 bug fixes and 10 enhancements as detailed in the `release notes
on GitHub <https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/releases/>`_. Here are some
of the more interesting developments that happened:


Model improvements
------------------

* Biologically-inspired features added to e-prop plasticity

  See :doc:`/auto_examples/eprop_plasticity/index`

* The tripartite connectivity, used for Astrocytes, now supports multiple primary
  connection rules.

  See :doc:`Astrocyte examples </auto_examples/astrocytes/index>`

Documentation additions
-----------------------

* We now have a detailed description of neuron models in NEST, inclduding :ref:`update
  algorithm <neuron_update>` and :ref:`neuron types <types_neurons>`.

* We updated the :ref:`Built-in timers <built_in_timers>` section to include a graphical description of a simulation run
  focusing on timers.

* For Windows users, we added a :ref:`helpful guide <windows_install>` to get NEST running on that platform with Docker.