Software’s Beta Version
A beta version is the first version released outside the organization that helps in developing the software for evaluation or real world black/grey-box testing. Beta release is the process of delivering a beta version to the beta users, who are usually the customers or potential customers of the organization that develops the software.
Whenever a new product is created or upgraded, it has to pass through several stages of development before it can be sold as the final product in the commercial market. First stage is known as ‘alpha stage,’ in this the product is tested by software testers within the company and debugged it if required. Beta version is the second stage of software testing, in this it is released for free of cost or at reduced price to group of users.
Beta version of a software release is considered to be a preview. This includes all standard features, but yet not ready for wide release or for sale. At this time, the software company collects the feedback from the users about the usability of the product like what they like and what not- before the actual release of product. There is either a closed beta, which is limited to a specific group of user, or open beta, which is available for the common public to use.
However, beta version products will often include all the features available in final version of the product, but they generally have limited technical support to users. Sometimes several products will often remain in beta version for years. A beta version can also be applied to a website that is testing its features and relying on the audience feedback. These beta websites are often first shown on a hidden domain, which is only available to their test audience, before being transferred to the real domain.
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