add profile version

lib/galaxy/tool_util/xsd/galaxy.xsd

@@ -68,6 +68,10 @@ List of behavior changes associated with profile versions:
 - Do not use Galaxy python environment for `data_source_async` tools.
 - Drop request parameters received by data source tools that are not declared in `<request_param_translation>` section.
 
+### 24.2
+
+- require a valid `data_ref` attribute for `data_column` parameters
+
 ### Examples
 
 A normal tool:

lib/galaxy/tools/parameters/basic.py

@@ -1403,7 +1403,10 @@ def __init__(self, tool, input_source):
         if self.accept_default:
             self.optional = True
         self.data_ref = input_source.get("data_ref", None)
-        assert self.data_ref is not None, f"data_column parameter {self.name} requires a valid data_ref attribute"
+        profile = tool.profile if tool else None
+        assert (
+            profile is None or Version(str(profile)) < Version("24.2") or self.data_ref is not None
+        ), f"data_column parameter {self.name} requires a valid data_ref attribute"
         self.ref_input = None
         # Legacy style default value specification...
         self.default_value = input_source.get("default_value", None)