code: def retrieve_mastodon_version(self):
          
          try:
              version_str = self.__instance()["version"]
          except:
              # instance() was added in 1.1.0, so our best guess is 1.0.0.
              version_str = "1.0.0"
              
          self.mastodon_major, self.mastodon_minor, self.mastodon_patch = parse_version_string(version_str)
          return version_str
docs: Determine installed mastodon version and set major, minor and patch (not including RC info) accordingly.
          
          Returns the version string, possibly including rc info.