A Brief Explanation of Alpha and Beta Testing

By: Rob Parker

If you have been in business for a couple of years, or even if your use of software is limited to strictly personal use, then you have likely seen a few terms floating around that are a bit unfamiliar to you. Specifically, you have probably seen phrases that announce that a certain program or site is in what is called an “alpha” or “beta” phase. Most of us don’t really know what the terms mean, beyond a shady suspicion that whatever they are referring to might not work properly. In this article, we will take a look at the software release process and the words that are applied to the programs during the process.

Software release

Before a program is on the market for the use of the public in general, it passes through several stages of development in order to establish and hone its capabilities. Like any other product, software must be thought up and then tested to ensure that it works in the way in which it was intended, and the whole process is called the software release.

There are several stages to a software release, including the alpha and the beta phase as well as a “pre-alpha” and “seigo” stage. Each stage includes its own specific steps, and it helps to know what is going on at these steps in order to understand what point the software is at.

Here’s a look.

Pre-Alpha: The software has been developed, but all the features have not yet been added.

Alpha: At this point, the features that are intended to be on the software are all added and the program is sent to testers. These testers are usually employees of the developing company, but in the case of open source software the testers could be anyone interested in the new program.

Beta: This is the most complicated and lengthy of the software production stages, as it refers to the stage in which the program is de-bugged. In other words, the software engineers fix any problems with the program. The beta release is used outside of the company, so no new features are added - instead the concentration lies on fixing any problems that come up.

Generally, software programs in the beta phase are available cheaper than they will be in the future, because the term beta indicates that there are still problems that need to be worked out. A complete software package occurs when all features are in place and the program works in the way it was intended to, with all features under consideration.

Article Source: http://www.bigfreearticles.com

Make sure you know about testing before releasing new software projects

About the Author:
Types of server colocation customers include web companies, who use the facilities for a safe environment and cost-effective connections to the Internet.

Tags: computers, colocation web hosting

Please Rate this Article

Comments

Share This Article - Quick and Easy Using This Button:

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Computers Articles Via RSS!

Read More Articles From - Home | Computers

You can begin to create your own products on demand By: Balwant - Have you ever wondered how some people can turn out product after product with such easy? Have you thought these people were born with product creation ideas gene that you lack? Thank your lucky stars that you found this article. In this article, I uncover some of the product creation ideas, secrets, tips, and tricks the Master product creator’s use. For more details go to: www.product-creation-secrets.com the article will help you create your own products.
Tags: computers, product creation, product planning, product design, product management, promotional products.
Product creation: - Some Fundamentals of a Successful Product Funnel By: Balwant - Have you created a product funnel yet? If you are unfamiliar with the term, it is a marketing method in which you create multiple related products in order to offer them to interested customers. For example, you may have an existing customer in a given niche who has signed up for your inexpensive or free newsletter. For more details go to: www.profiting-info-products.
Tags: computers, product creation, product planning, product design, product management, promotional products.
Product Creation - Powerful Tips to Breakthrough with Product Creation By: Balwant - Roy Sutanto is the author and btw Mike Filsaime is Giving His New $297 Product Away Free Get Mike Filsaime's 7 Figure Secrets Shipped to you Free! He is also giving you his Butterfly Marketing Manuscript free too! This is only while supplies last! Get it shipped to your door now Creating products for online users is one of the most lucrative ways to make money online. For more details go to: www.product-launching.com that is why;
Tags: computers, product creation, product planning, product design, product management, promotional products.
Make Money Online With Resale Rights! By: Balwant - However bear in mind that this article is a basic general idea listing the key steps and key things you need in order to make money online with resale rights, go to www.guide-to-plr.com or resell right e-book and software products. Selling your resale rights product when it is at the end of its market life would be tough.
Tags: computers, resale rights, resale, sell ebooks, ebook rights, resale products
Using Computer Repair Services vs. Buying New PC By: Rokai Kolam - In this modern age of technology, computers really play a vital role in the daily life of any person or organization. Many people rely on the PC for numerous things from researching and doing financial transactions to marketing products and services as well as performing a variety of work online. The IT professionals indeed have a lot to benefit from this very powerful information tool. Computers, however, are not perfect just like humans.
Tags: computers, : computer repair virginia, computer service virginia, pc
Converting PSD to XHTML Code for Your Website By: Gen Wright - Are you having trouble setting up your website because you are not sure how to get your PSD files to display correctly online? This is a common scenario that online business owners face because they hired someone to design their posters, logos and other promotional materials in Photoshop. Photoshop is a professional class software that many designers use to deliver cutting edge graphic images.
Tags: computers, converting psd to xhtml code for your website
Benefits of data entry outsourcing to India based BPO Company By: Jemima Holbert - Data the backbone of a company and it provides comprehensive source for multiplying the business by leaps and bounds, transcending the continents and cultures. Benefits of data entry outsourcing are many and the expandable outsourcing methodologies provide ample of virtues in money and processes.
Tags: computers, data entry india, data entry company, data entry services, data processing services, data processing company, ecommerce data entry
Affiliate Associate Programs By: SHILPA ANAND - If you’ve been around for sometime now on the internet, you would have heard of the term Affiliate or Associate programs. Affiliate programs are programs organized by companies, individuals business owners etc. that allow an individual to earn money known as commissions by just referring people to their website. If they make a purchase, you earn a prearranged percentage of the whole amount of money paid by the client or customer.
Tags: computers, affiliate marketing, internet marketing, affiliate programs, internet, marketing
Computer and Internet By: da vinci - Computer And InternetComputer & Internet, business & finance magazines subscriptions smart computing, home business value mags will never automatically renew your magazine subscriptions when you. Computer Internet security - protection against network security datalk.com - talk about Internet, computer and games related stuff talk about anything software, hardware, games, gadgets, Internet and computer related. Computer security Internet security software how to improve your computer Internet security and protect your computer against network security attacks and other accidents.
Tags: computers, computer and internet, pc, computing, pc, internet
Why Have a VPN Account? By: Gen Wright - There are many reasons why you need to have a VPN account. Many computer users have their systems compromised mainly due to ignorance. They are simply not aware of the threats that are lurking in the cyber world, and these threats are just waiting to be unleashed. Here are some reasons why you would need to have a VPN account.
Tags: computers, why have a vpn account?