• Home
  • Archive
  • Tools
  • Contact Us

The Customize Windows

Technology Journal

  • Cloud Computing
  • Computer
  • Digital Photography
  • Windows 7
  • Archive
  • Cloud Computing
  • Virtualization
  • Computer and Internet
  • Digital Photography
  • Android
  • Sysadmin
  • Electronics
  • Big Data
  • Virtualization
  • Downloads
  • Web Development
  • Apple
  • Android
Advertisement
You are here: Home » Brief Details of Software Release Lifecycle

By Abhishek Ghosh February 16, 2022 6:09 pm Updated on February 16, 2022

Brief Details of Software Release Lifecycle

Advertisement

The software release life cycle, in software engineering, is the set of progress states of the computer application creation project, to identify how much progress has been made and how much remains until the end. Each major version of a product usually goes through a stage where new features are added (alpha stage), then a stage where bugs are actively removed (beta stage), and finally a stage where all major bugs have been removed (stable stage). The intermediate stages can also be recognized. Stages can be formally announced and regulated by product developers, but the terms are sometimes used informally to describe the status of a product. Typically many companies use common code names for versions before a product launch, even if the product and features are not secret.

 
Alpha
 

Pre-alpha is the first stage of writing a computer program.

Advertisement

---

Alpha is the first complete version of the program, which is sent to the verifiers to test it. Some development teams use the term alpha informally to refer to a phase where a product is still unstable, still waiting for bugs to be eliminated or for the full implementation of all its functionality, but it satisfies most of the requirements. The name is derived from alpha, the first letter in the Greek alphabet.

 
Beta
 

A beta generally represents the first full version of a computer program or other product, which may be unstable but useful to be considered a preview or a technical preview (TP). This stage often begins when developers announce a freeze on product features, stating that no more features will be added to this release and that only small edits will be made or bug fixes will be fixed. Beta versions are at an intermediate step in the full development cycle. Developers release them to a group of beta testers (sometimes the general public) for a user test. Testers divulge any bugs they find and features, sometimes minor, that they would like to see in the final version.

When a beta version becomes available to the general public, it is often extensively tested by the technologically savvy or familiar with older versions, as if the product were finished. Generally, developers of beta versions of free or open-source software release them to the general public, while proprietary beta versions go to a relatively small group of testers. In February 2005, ZDNet published an article about the recent phenomenon of beta versions that often remained for years and were used as if they were at the production level. Gmail, like Google News, for example, was in beta for a very long period (five years). This technique may also allow a developer to delay offering full support or responsibility for remaining edits. Recipients of highly proprietary betas may have to sign a non-disclosure agreement. As this is the second stage in the development cycle that follows the alpha stage, this is named the next Greek letter beta.

 
Final candidate version (RC)
 

A release candidate comprises a product that is ready to be released as a final version unless errors prevent it from doing so. In this phase, the product implements all the functions of the design and is free of any errors that suppose a deadlock in the development. Many development companies frequently use this term. Other related terms include gamma, delta (and perhaps more Greek letters) for versions that are virtually complete but still in testing; and omega for versions that are believed to be error-free and are in the final testing process. Gamma, delta and omega are, respectively, the third, fourth and last letters of the Greek alphabet.

Considered very stable and relatively error-free with a quality suitable for wide distribution and used by end-users. In commercial versions, it can also be signed (used for end-users to verify that the code has not been changed since its exit). The expression that a product is golden means that the code has been completed and that it is being mass-produced and will be on sale soon.

 
General availability version (RTM, release to manufacturing)
 

The general availability (also called gold) version of a product is its final version. It is usually almost identical to the final candidate version, with only last-minute corrections. This version is considered very stable and relatively error-free with a quality suitable for wide distribution and use by end-users. In commercial versions, it can also be signed (used for end-users to verify that the code has not been changed since its exit). The expression that a product is golden means that the code has been completed and that it is being mass-produced and will be on sale soon.

The term gold refers anecdotally to the use of the gold master disc that was frequently used to send the final version to manufacturers who use it to produce the retail copies. This can be a legacy of music production. In some cases, however, the master disc is made of gold, both for aesthetic appearance and corrosion resistance.

Microsoft and others use the term distribution to manufacturers (RTM or release to manufacturing) to refer to this version (for commercial products such as Windows 7, they would refer to it as “build 7600 is chosen as Windows 7 RTM”), and web distribution (RTW or release to Web) for freely downloadable products.

Brief Details of Software Release Lifecycle

 
Stable/unstable
 

In open-source programming, version numbers, or the terms stable and unstable, usually, distinguish the phases of development. In the past, the Linux kernel used the version number to denote whether a version was stable or unstable. In effect, the versions were made up of four numbers, separated by a period. An odd figure in the second version number indicated an unstable version. Today this convention is no longer used, and all versions are stable regardless of version number. In practice, the use of even and odd numbers to indicate the stability of a product has been used by many other free software projects.

This concept also applies to software packaged in some Linux distributions such as Debian, so that there is a branch or set of packages considered stable and another branch considered unstable. This last branch provides versions of programs that are newer than the stable ones but that are not as tested.

This Article Has Been Shared 965 Times!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Abhishek Ghosh

About Abhishek Ghosh

Abhishek Ghosh is a Businessman, Surgeon, Author and Blogger. You can keep touch with him on Twitter - @AbhishekCTRL.

Here’s what we’ve got for you which might like :

Articles Related to Brief Details of Software Release Lifecycle

  • 8 Good Reasons to Choose the Best Employee Training Software

    If you still haven’t used any employee training software solution, you might lose many opportunities to build a strong workforce. Online training software tools bring numerous benefits to the table, the most important being upskilling your employees and running a more profitable business. But if you pick a solution randomly, you may not reap all […]

  • What Should We Know About Software Quality

    In software engineering, software quality is an overall appreciation of software, based on many indicators. Completeness of functionality, correction and accuracy of results, reliability, fault tolerance, ease and flexibility of its use, simplicity, extensibility, compatibility and portability, ease of correction and transformation, performance, consistency and integrity of the information it contains are all quality factors. […]

  • What is Continuous Improvement Process (CIP)?

    Continual Improvement Process (CIP)is a way of thinking that aims to strengthen the competitiveness of companies with continuous improvements in small steps. CIP refers to product, process and service quality. CIP is implemented in the context of teamwork through continuous small improvement steps (in contrast to innovations in the form of large, drastic innovations). CIP […]

  • HR Trends and Challenges To Watch Out For in 2022

    The professional world has witnessed umpteen changes in the last year and a half in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the same sequence, HR practices have been impacted by the sudden changes in the work environment, including the dependence on remote work, the hiring process, and training. There have been visible changes like […]

  • Few Common and Useful Git Commands

    Git is a distributed version control system that differs in some characteristics from typical version control systems. Both branching and merging two or more branches are integral parts of working with Git and are built into the Git tools. Git contains programs that make it easy to visualize the non-linear history of a project and […]

Additionally, performing a search on this website can help you. Also, we have YouTube Videos.

Take The Conversation Further ...

We'd love to know your thoughts on this article.
Meet the Author over on Twitter to join the conversation right now!

If you want to Advertise on our Article or want a Sponsored Article, you are invited to Contact us.

Contact Us

Subscribe To Our Free Newsletter

Get new posts by email:

Please Confirm the Subscription When Approval Email Will Arrive in Your Email Inbox as Second Step.

Search this website…

 

Popular Articles

Our Homepage is best place to find popular articles!

Here Are Some Good to Read Articles :

  • Cloud Computing Service Models
  • What is Cloud Computing?
  • Cloud Computing and Social Networks in Mobile Space
  • ARM Processor Architecture
  • What Camera Mode to Choose
  • Indispensable MySQL queries for custom fields in WordPress
  • Windows 7 Speech Recognition Scripting Related Tutorials

Social Networks

  • Pinterest (24.3K Followers)
  • Twitter (5.8k Followers)
  • Facebook (5.7k Followers)
  • LinkedIn (3.7k Followers)
  • YouTube (1.3k Followers)
  • GitHub (Repository)
  • GitHub (Gists)
Looking to publish sponsored article on our website?

Contact us

Recent Posts

  • Advantages of Cloud Server Over Dedicated Server for Hosting WordPress March 26, 2023
  • Get Audiophile-Grade Music on Your Smartphone March 25, 2023
  • Simple Windows Security and Privacy Checklist for 2023 March 24, 2023
  • 7 Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) Software March 24, 2023
  • ESP32 Arduino Water Tank Level Monitoring Using Laser ToF Sensor March 23, 2023

About This Article

Cite this article as: Abhishek Ghosh, "Brief Details of Software Release Lifecycle," in The Customize Windows, February 16, 2022, March 27, 2023, https://thecustomizewindows.com/2022/02/brief-details-of-software-release-lifecycle/.

Source:The Customize Windows, JiMA.in

PC users can consult Corrine Chorney for Security.

Want to know more about us? Read Notability and Mentions & Our Setup.

Copyright © 2023 - The Customize Windows | dESIGNed by The Customize Windows

Copyright  · Privacy Policy  · Advertising Policy  · Terms of Service  · Refund Policy

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT