Why so many similar interfaces in SW Doc Mgr API?

In looking at the help file for the Doc Mgr API I can't believe there are so many seemingly identical interfaces, each with a different number at the end, for instance:

ISwDMConfiguration

ISwDMConfiguration2

ISwDMConfiguration3

ISwDMConfiguration4

ISwDMConfiguration5

ISwDMConfiguration6

... and so on.

This pattern occurs with almost every interface in the API.

  • Why does it need so many apparently identical interfaces?
  • What is the difference between the different numbered versions?
  • How would I determine which one(s) I should use?

I'm very confused...

SolidworksApi macros