alpha test
In-house software trial
An alpha test is the first phase of software testing, conducted internally before releasing to outside users.
Alpha testing catches major bugs and usability issues while the product is still rough: We're still in alpha—expect crashes.
The next stage is beta testing, which involves external users.
Alpha test also works as a verb: We alpha tested the app last month.
Before official distribution
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- proof of conceptDemonstration of feasibility
- pilotOne who steers aircraft
- iterationRepeated procedural pass
sprint · agile · scrum · software development · early access · preview · milestone · roadmap
Documented software error description
- surveySystematic data collection
- questionnaireFormal inquiry form
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
review · critique · suggestion · improvement · observation · use case · edge case · pain point
Standards compliance verification
- QAStandards compliance process
- bug reportDocumented software error description
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
- verificationProving something accurate
First purchaser of innovations
- focus groupModerated consumer research session
- developerOne who builds things
- stakeholderParty with an interest
- end userUltimate product recipient
pre-release
Before official distribution
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- proof of conceptDemonstration of feasibility
- pilotOne who steers aircraft
iteration · sprint · agile · scrum · software development · early access · preview · milestone · roadmap · versioning
bug report
Documented software error description
- surveySystematic data collection
- questionnaireFormal inquiry form
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
assessment · review · critique · suggestion · improvement · observation · use case · edge case · pain point · user experience
quality assurance
Standards compliance verification
- QAStandards compliance process
- bug reportDocumented software error description
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
verification · debugging · troubleshooting · reproducibility · sandbox
early adopter
First purchaser of innovations
- focus groupModerated consumer research session
- developerOne who builds things
- stakeholderParty with an interest
- experimentsexperiment, experiments, trials, experimental group, control group
- software testingclosed beta, open beta, playtesting, assertion, assert
- beginningsbegin, beginning, start, first, opening
- previewspreview, movie trailer, book excerpt, sneak peek, teaser
- tech eventstech conferences, tech fair, tech talk, hackathon, hackathons
alpha testfinal release
Completed production version
public release · gold master · RTM · finished product · launch
alpha testpublic release
Open distribution debut
general release · public beta · open beta · wide release · mass distribution
alpha, test, alphas, tests, tested, testing, tester, testers, retest