alpha release
Initial software release
An alpha release is an early version of software made available for testing before it's ready for general use.
Alpha versions typically contain bugs and incomplete features, shared with a limited group to identify problems early in development.
The term comes from alpha being the first letter of the Greek alphabet, indicating this is the first testing phase: We're still in alpha, so expect things to break.
Compare with beta release, which follows alpha and involves broader testing.
- betaGreek alphabet's second letter
- public betaPre-launch software for testers
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- proof of conceptDemonstration of feasibility
- minimum viable productSimplest testable market offering
preview · sneak peek · early access · buggy · unstable · bug report · testing · early · developer · software · version · launch · experimental · rough · unfinished · bleeding-edge · cutting edge · candidate
- software developmentcoding, programming, bug, debug, debugging
- launcheslaunch, launched, rocket launch, blast off, satellite launch
- prototypesprototype, mock-up, proof of concept, working model, mockup
- Agilescrum, sprint, backlog, kanban, retrospective
alpha releasefinal release
Completed production version
gold master · RTM · public release · finished product · wide release
alpha, release, alphas, releases, released, releasing, releasable, alphabet, alphabetic