Pre-alpha:
Pre-alpha refers to all activities performed during the software project before formal testing. These activities can include requirements analysis, software design, software development, and unit testing. In typical open source development, there are several types of pre-alpha versions. Milestone versions include specific sets of functions and are released as soon as the functionality is complete.
Alpha:
Alpha is the first letter in Greek alphabet and it is the first phrase to begin software testing. Alpha software can be unstable but by the end of this phrase, no more feature will be added to the software. So, alphaware is usually said to be feature complete.
Beta:
Beta is the second letter in Greek alphabet and it is a process to reduce error and increase stability of the software. The delivery of betaware is the first time that the software will be available to the public.
Release Candidate:
After the completion of beta phrase, a software will become release to candidate, unless significant problem occurs. This stage is referred as code complete, because all the features have been designed, coded and tested with no known significant bugs.
RTM:
This is the phrase when the product is ready to be released. The software is first released to hardware manufacturers for bundling. This process will help developers to work out all the products before general release to the public.
GA:
This is the phrase when the product is released to general public, after all the commercialization activities have been completed. The time between RTM and GA can be weeks to months, depending on the time taken to finish all the commercialization activities.
Production or live release:
Production or live release aka Gold: this is the phrase when the product has released.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Alpha:
Alpha is the first letter in Greek alphabet and it is the first phrase to begin software testing. Alpha software can be unstable but by the end of this phrase, no more feature will be added to the software. So, alphaware is usually said to be feature complete.
Beta:
Beta is the second letter in Greek alphabet and it is a process to reduce error and increase stability of the software. The delivery of betaware is the first time that the software will be available to the public.
Release Candidate:
After the completion of beta phrase, a software will become release to candidate, unless significant problem occurs. This stage is referred as code complete, because all the features have been designed, coded and tested with no known significant bugs.
RTM:
This is the phrase when the product is ready to be released. The software is first released to hardware manufacturers for bundling. This process will help developers to work out all the products before general release to the public.
GA:
This is the phrase when the product is released to general public, after all the commercialization activities have been completed. The time between RTM and GA can be weeks to months, depending on the time taken to finish all the commercialization activities.
Production or live release:
Production or live release aka Gold: this is the phrase when the product has released.
1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle
Writing References:
1. http://releaseboard.com/what-is-a-software-application-release-cycle.html
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle
3. http://www.brighthub.com/internet/web-development/articles/42592.aspx
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I never really thought about how many steps it takes before a program can be released. I have heard of Beta testing before but I never knew all of those other steps were involved. I wonder which step takes the longest and where most programs get stuck in development?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really lengthy process, i've never imagined that any software we use on our daily basis would be checked that often
ReplyDelete