Editing Software release life cycle

{{Short description|Stages in creation of computer software}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025|cs1-dates=y}}

The '''software release life cycle''' is the process of developing, testing, and distributing a software product (e.g., an [[operating system]]). It typically consists of several stages, such as pre-alpha, alpha, beta, and release candidate, before the final version, or "gold", is released to the public.
[[File:Software dev2.svg|thumb|upright=1.1|An example of a basic software release life cycle.]]
Pre-alpha refers to the early stages of development, when the software is still being designed and built. Alpha testing is the first phase of formal testing, during which the software is tested internally using [[White-box testing|white-box techniques]]. Beta testing is the next phase, in which the software is tested by a larger group of users, typically outside of the organization that developed it. The beta phase is focused on reducing impacts on users and may include usability testing.

After beta testing, the software may go through one or more release candidate phases, in which it is refined and tested further, before the final version is released.

Some software, particularly in the internet and technology industries, is released in a perpetual beta state, meaning that it is continuously being updated and improved, and is never considered to be a fully completed product. This approach allows for a more agile development process and enables the software to be released and used by users earlier in the development cycle.

== Stages of development ==

=== 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 software|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 feature is complete.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

=== Alpha ===
The alpha phase of the release life cycle is the first phase of [[software testing]] (alpha is the first letter of the [[Greek alphabet]], used as the number 1). In this phase, developers generally test the software using [[white-box testing|white-box techniques]]. Additional validation is then performed using [[black-box testing|black-box]] or [[Grey box testing#Grey box testing|gray-box]] techniques, by another testing team. Moving to black-box testing inside the organization is known as ''alpha release''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=alpha+version&i=37675,00.asp |title=Encyclopedia definition of alpha version |magazine=[[PC Magazine]] |access-date=2011-01-12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427065905/http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0%2C2542%2Ct%3Dalpha%20version%26i%3D37675%2C00.asp |archive-date=2011-04-27 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://video-answer.com/what-is-an-alpha-version-of-a-game/|title= What is an alpha version of a game?|access-date=2022-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923135620/https://video-answer.com/what-is-an-alpha-version-of-a-game/ |archive-date=Sep 23, 2022}}</ref>

Alpha software is not thoroughly tested by the developer before it is released to customers. Alpha software may contain serious errors, and any resulting instability could cause crashes or data loss.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Ince |editor-first=Darrel |title=A Dictionary of the Internet |edition=3rd |chapter=Alpha software |date=2013 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-174415-0 |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/abstract/10.1093/acref/9780191744150.001.0001/acref-9780191744150-e-95?rskey=VLB7Gk&result=2 |access-date=15 July 2019 }}</ref> Alpha software may not contain all of the features that are planned for the final version.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Next Generation 1996 Lexicon A to Z|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=15 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=March 1996|page=29|quote=Alpha software generally barely runs and is missing major features like gameplay and complete levels.}}</ref> In general, external availability of alpha software is uncommon for [[proprietary software]], while [[Free and open-source software|open source software]] often has publicly available alpha versions. The alpha phase usually ends with a [[Freeze (software engineering)|feature freeze]], indicating that no more features will be added to the software. At this time, the software is said to be [[#Feature-complete|feature-complete]]. A beta test is carried out following [[acceptance testing]] at the supplier's site (the alpha test) and immediately before the general release of the software as a product.<ref>{{cite book |title=A Dictionary of Computer Science |date=2016 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-968897-5 |page=44 |edition=7th}}</ref>

==== Feature-complete ====
A '''feature-complete''' (FC) version of a piece of [[software]] has all of its planned or primary [[Software feature|features]] implemented but is not yet final due to [[software bug|bugs]], [[software performance|performance]] or [[Software testing|stability]] issues.<ref>{{cite book |last=Cusumano |first=Michael |date=1998 |url=https://archive.org/details/microsoftsecrets00cusu |title=Microsoft Secrets: How the World's Most Powerful Software Company Creates Technology, Shapes Markets, and Manages People |publisher=Free Press |isbn=978-0-684-85531-8 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/microsoftsecrets00cusu/page/202 202–203] |url-access=registration }}</ref> This occurs at the end of alpha testing in [[Software development|development]].

Usually, feature-complete software still has to undergo [[beta testing]] and [[Patch (computing)|bug fixing]], as well as performance or stability enhancement before it can go to [[#Release candidate|release candidate]], and finally [[#Release|gold]] status.

=== Beta<span class="anchor" id="BETA"></span> ===
{{Redirect|Beta test|the 2016 film|Beta Test (film)|the 2021 film|The Beta Test}}
{{See also|Software testing#Beta testing}}

Beta, named after [[Beta|the second letter of the Greek alphabet]], is the software development phase following alpha. A beta phase generally begins when the software is feature-complete but likely to contain several known or unknown bugs.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Next Generation 1996 Lexicon A to Z |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=15 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=March 1996 |page=30 |url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-015/page/n31/mode/2up }}</ref> Software in the beta phase will generally have many more bugs in it than completed software and speed or performance issues, and may still cause crashes or data loss. The focus of beta testing is reducing impacts on users, often incorporating [[usability testing]]. The process of delivering a beta version to the users is called ''beta release'' and is typically the first time that the software is available outside of the organization that developed it. Software beta releases can be either [[#Open and closed beta|open or closed]], depending on whether they are openly available or only available to a limited audience. Beta version software is often useful for demonstrations and previews within an organization and to prospective customers. Some developers refer to this stage as a ''preview'', ''preview release'', ''prototype'', ''technical preview'' or ''technology preview'' (''TP''),<ref>{{cite web | url = https://access.redhat.com/support/offerings/techpreview | title = Technology Preview Features Support Scope | access-date = 2015-03-18 | publisher = [[Red Hat]] }}</ref> or ''[[early access]]''.

''Beta testers'' are people who actively report issues with beta software. They are usually customers or representatives of prospective customers of the organization that develops the software. Beta testers tend to volunteer their services free of charge but often receive versions of the product they test, discounts on the release version, or other incentives.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Amit Mehra |author2=Rajib Lochan Saha |title=Utilizing Public Betas and Free Trials to Launch a Software Product |date=19 June 2017 |journal=Production and Operations Management |volume=27 |issue=11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Michelle M. |last=Lang |title=Beta Wars |date=17 May 2004 |journal=Design News |volume=59 |issue=7 }}</ref>

==== Perpetual beta ====
{{Main|Perpetual beta}}

Some software is kept in so-called ''perpetual beta'', where new features are continually added to the software without establishing a final "stable" release. As the [[Internet]] has facilitated the rapid and inexpensive distribution of software, companies have begun to take a looser approach to the use of the word ''beta''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tidbits.com/1996/05/13/waiting-with-betad-breath/ |title=Waiting with Beta'd Breath ''TidBITS'' #328 (May 13, 1996) |date=13 May 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206214914/https://tidbits.com/1996/05/13/waiting-with-betad-breath/ |archive-date=2022-12-06 }}</ref>

==== Open and closed beta ====
Developers may release either a ''closed beta'', or an ''open beta''; closed beta versions are released to a restricted group of individuals for a user test by invitation, while open beta testers are from a larger group, or anyone interested. Private beta could be suitable for the software that is capable of delivering value but is not ready to be used by everyone either due to scaling issues, lack of documentation or still missing vital features. The testers report any bugs that they find, and sometimes suggest additional features they think should be available in the final version.

Open betas serve the dual purpose of demonstrating a product to potential consumers, and testing among a wide user base is likely to bring to light obscure errors that a much smaller testing team might not find.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

=== Release candidate ===
[[File:Microsoft windows 2000 server rc2 media.jpg|thumb|upright|Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Release Candidate 2 media.]]

A ''release candidate'' (''RC''), also known as gamma testing or "going silver", is a beta version with the potential to be a stable product, which is ready to release unless significant [[software bug|bugs]] emerge. In this stage of product stabilization, all product features have been designed, coded, and tested through one or more beta cycles with no known showstopper-class bugs. A release is called ''code complete'' when the development team agrees that no entirely new source code will be added to this release. There could still be source code changes to fix defects, changes to documentation and data files, and peripheral code for test cases or utilities.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

=== Stable release ===
Also called ''production release'', the ''stable release'' is the last ''release candidate'' (''RC'') which has passed all stages of verification and tests. Any known remaining bugs are considered acceptable. This release goes to [[Deployment environment#Production|production]].

Some software products (e.g. [[Linux distribution]]s like [[Debian#Branches|Debian]]) also have ''[[long-term support]]'' (''LTS'') releases which are based on full releases that have already been tried and tested and receive only security updates.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

== {{Anchor|STABLE-RELEASE}}Release ==
Once released, the software is generally known as a "stable release". The formal term often depends on the method of release: physical media, online release, or a web application.<ref name="Google Blog-2009" />

=== {{Anchor|RTM|Release to manufacturing|Release to marketing|RTM or RTW}}Release to manufacturing (RTM) ===
[[File:Satya Nadella Gears of War 4 Gold Master.jpg|thumb|[[Satya Nadella]] of [[Microsoft]] with the gold master disc of ''[[Gears of War 4]].'']]
The term "release to manufacturing" (RTM), also known as "going gold", is a term used when a software product is ready to be delivered. This build may be digitally signed, allowing the end user to verify the integrity and authenticity of the software purchase. The RTM build is known as the "[[mastering (audio)|gold master]]" or GM<ref>{{cite web |title=What is Golden Master (GM)? - Definition from Techopedia |url=https://www.techopedia.com/definition/5434/golden-master-gm |website=Techopedia.com |date=19 August 2013 |language=en}}</ref> is sent for mass duplication or disc replication if applicable. The terminology is taken from the audio record-making industry, specifically the process of [[mastering (audio)|mastering]]. RTM precedes general availability (GA) when the product is released to the public. A golden master build (GM) is typically the final build of a piece of software in the beta stages for developers. Typically, for [[iOS]], it is the final build before a major release, however, there have been a few exceptions.

RTM is typically used in certain retail mass-production software contexts—as opposed to a specialized software production or project in a commercial or government production and distribution—where the software is sold as part of a bundle in a related computer hardware sale and typically where the software and related hardware is ultimately to be available and sold on mass/public basis at retail stores to indicate that the software has met a defined quality level and is ready for mass retail distribution. RTM could also mean in other contexts that the software has been delivered or released to a client or customer for installation or distribution to the related hardware end user computers or machines. The term does ''not'' define the delivery mechanism or volume; it only states that the quality is sufficient for mass distribution. The deliverable from the engineering organization is frequently in the form of a golden master media used for duplication or to produce the image for the web.

=== {{Anchor|GA|General availability}}General availability (GA) ===
[[File:ProductEndOfLifeCycle.png|thumb|Milestones in a product life cycle: general availability (GA), [[end of life announcement]] (EOLA), [[last order date]] (LOD), and [[End-of-life (product)|end-of-life]]. (EOL)]]
'''General availability''' ('''GA''') is the marketing stage at which all necessary [[commercialization]] activities have been completed and a software product is available for purchase, depending, however, on language, region, and electronic vs. media availability.<ref>{{cite web |first=Yvan Philippe |last=Luxembourg |title=Top 200 SAM Terms – A Glossary Of Software Asset Management Terms |url=http://omtco.eu/references/sam/top-200-sam-terms-a-glossary-of-software-asset-management-terms/ |website=Operations Management Technology Consulting |date=20 May 2013 |access-date=21 May 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810111112/http://omtco.eu/references/sam/top-200-sam-terms-a-glossary-of-software-asset-management-terms/ |archive-date=10 August 2013 }}</ref> Commercialization activities could include security and compliance tests, as well as localization and worldwide availability. The time between RTM and GA can take from days to months before a generally available release can be declared, due to the time needed to complete all commercialization activities required by GA. At this stage, the software has "gone live".

=== {{Anchor|Web release}}Release to the Web (RTW) ===
'''Release to the Web''' ('''RTW''') or '''Web release''' is a means of software delivery that utilizes the Internet for distribution. No physical media are produced in this type of release mechanism by the manufacturer. Web releases have become more common as Internet usage has grown.{{cn|date=April 2023}}

== Support ==
During its supported lifetime, the software is sometimes subjected to service releases, [[patch (computing)|patches]] or [[service pack]]s, sometimes also called "interim releases" or "maintenance releases" (MR). For example, Microsoft released three major service packs for the [[32-bit computing|32-bit]] editions of [[Windows XP]] and two service packs for the [[64-bit computing|64-bit]] editions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Update Catalog |url=https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=xp%20service%20pack%203 |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=www.catalog.update.microsoft.com}}</ref> Such service releases contain a collection of updates, fixes, and enhancements, delivered in the form of a single installable package. They may also implement new features. Some software is released with the expectation of regular support. Classes of software that generally involve protracted support as the norm include [[Antivirus software|anti-virus suites]] and [[massively multiplayer online game]]s. Continuing with this Windows XP example, Microsoft did offer paid updates for five more years after the end of extended support. This means that support ended on April 8, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-20 |title=Microsoft Product Lifecycle Search |url=http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?alpha=Windows+XP |access-date=2024-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720010405/http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?alpha=Windows+XP |archive-date=20 July 2012 }}</ref>

=== End-of-life {{Anchor|EOL|End of life}} ===
{{See also|End-of-life product|Abandonware}}

When software is no longer sold or supported, the product is said to have reached end-of-life, to be discontinued, retired, deprecated, abandoned, or obsolete, but user loyalty may continue its existence for some time, even long after its platform is obsolete—e.g., the [[Common Desktop Environment]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=[cdesktopenv-devel] CDE 2.2.1 released {{!}} CDE - Common Desktop Environment |url=https://sourceforge.net/p/cdesktopenv/mailman/message/32043063/ |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=sourceforge.net}}</ref> and Sinclair [[ZX Spectrum]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-05 |title=ZX-Uno [ZX Spectrum Computer Clone Based on FPGA] |url=http://zxuno.speccy.org/index_e.shtml |access-date=2024-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105191835/http://zxuno.speccy.org/index_e.shtml |archive-date=5 January 2018 }}</ref>

After the end-of-life date, the developer will usually not implement any new features, fix existing defects, bugs, or vulnerabilities (whether known before that date or not), or provide any support for the product. If the developer wishes, they may release the source code, so that the platform may be maintained by volunteers.

== History ==
Usage of the "alpha/beta" test terminology originated at [[IBM]].{{cn|date=May 2024}} Similar terminologies for IBM's software development were used by people involved with IBM from at least the 1950s (and probably earlier). "A" test was the [[software verification|verification]] of a new product before the public announcement. The "B" test was the verification before releasing the product to be manufactured. The "C" test was the final test before the general availability of the product. As software became a significant part of IBM's offerings, the alpha test terminology was used to denote the pre-announcement test and the beta test was used to show product readiness for general availability. Martin Belsky, a manager on some of IBM's earlier software projects claimed to have invented the terminology. IBM dropped the alpha/beta terminology during the 1960s, but by then it had received fairly wide notice. The usage of "beta test" to refer to testing done by customers was not done in IBM. Rather, IBM used the term "field test".

Major public betas developed afterward, with early customers having purchased a "pioneer edition" of the WordVision word processor for the [[IBM PC]] for $49.95. In 1984, [[Stephen Manes]] wrote that "in a brilliant marketing coup, Bruce and James Program Publishers managed to get people to ''pay'' for the privilege of testing the product."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Taking A Gamble With Word Vision |author-last=Manes |author-first=Stephen |author-link=Stephen Manes |magazine=[[PC Magazine]] - The Independent Guide To IBM Personal Computers |publisher=[[PC Communications Corp.]] |issn=0745-2500 |date=1984-04-03 |volume=3 |number=6 |pages=211–221 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e-gI2W-3JwkC&pg=PA211 |access-date=2015-02-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317045015/https://books.google.com/books?id=e-gI2W-3JwkC&lpg=PA212&pg=PA211 |archive-date=2015-03-17}}</ref> In September 2000, a ''boxed version'' of [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]'s [[Mac OS X Public Beta]] operating system was released.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Apple Releases Mac OS X Public Beta |publisher=Apple Inc. |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2000/09/13Apple-Releases-Mac-OS-X-Public-Beta/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |date=13 September 2000}}</ref> Between September 2005 and May 2006, Microsoft released ''community technology preview''s (''CTP''s) for [[Windows Vista]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/newsroom/winxp/WinVistaCTPFS.mspx |title=Microsoft Windows Vista October Community Technology Preview Fact Sheet |date=October 2005 |access-date=2011-02-22 |publisher=Microsoft |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430145018/http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/newsroom/winxp/WinVistaCTPFS.mspx |archive-date=2011-04-30 }}</ref> From 2009 to 2011, ''[[Minecraft]]'' was in public beta.

In February 2005, [[ZDNet]] published an article about the phenomenon of a beta version often staying for years and being used as if it were at the production level.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588-5571590.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214062749/http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588-5571590.html|archive-date=2005-02-14|title=A long winding road out of beta |website= Tech News on ZDNet |first1= Paul |last1=Festa |date=2005-02-14|access-date=2019-04-28}}</ref> It noted that [[Gmail]] and [[Google News]], for example, had been in beta for a long time although widely used; Google News left beta in January 2006, followed by Google Apps (now named [[Google Workspace]]), including Gmail, in July 2009.<ref name="Google Blog-2009">{{cite web|url=http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/google-apps-is-out-of-beta-yes-really.html |title=Google Apps is out of beta (yes, really) |work=Google Blog |date=7 July 2009 |access-date=2011-01-12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121002635/http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/google-apps-is-out-of-beta-yes-really.html |archive-date=21 January 2011 }}</ref> Since the introduction of [[Windows 8]], [[Microsoft]] has called pre-release software a ''preview'' rather than ''beta''. All pre-release builds released through the [[Windows Insider Program]] launched in 2014 are termed "Insider Preview builds". "Beta" may also indicate something more like a [[#Release candidate|release candidate]], or as a form of time-limited demo, or marketing technique.<ref>{{cite web|url-status=live |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-inconvenient-truths-behind-betas/a-2010051712402686048 |title=The inconvenient truths behind betas |first1=David |last1=Houghton |date=May 17, 2010 |website=GamesRadar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430173029/http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-inconvenient-truths-behind-betas/a-2010051712402686048 |archive-date=2011-04-30 }}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Computer programming}}
* [[Application lifecycle management]]
* [[Application-release automation]]
* [[Application retirement]]
* [[Release engineering]]
* [[Release management]]
* [[Rolling release]]
* [[Software deployment]]
* [[Software versioning]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Software distribution}}
[[Category:Software release| ]]