Prerelease

A prerelease is a version of a product, software, or other deliverable that is made available to a select group of users or stakeholders before its official release. The primary purpose of a prerelease is to gather feedback, identify bugs, and make necessary improvements before the final version is released to the general public. Prereleases can take various forms, including alpha, beta, and release candidates.

Alpha releases are typically the earliest versions of a product and are often unstable. They are released to a small group of testers who provide feedback on the product's functionality and usability. Beta releases are more stable than alpha releases and are released to a larger group of users. They are used to test the product in real-world conditions and to identify any remaining bugs. Release candidates are the final versions of a product before its official release. They are released to a select group of users to ensure that the product is stable and ready for the general public.

Prereleases play a crucial role in the software development lifecycle. They help developers identify and fix bugs, improve the product's functionality, and enhance the user experience. By releasing a prerelease, developers can gather valuable feedback from users and stakeholders, which can be used to make necessary improvements before the final version is released. Prereleases also help to build excitement and anticipation for the final release, as users can get a sneak peek of the product and provide input on its features and functionality.