Release

A release is the act of making something available to the public or end users. In software development, a release refers to a specific version of a software product that is distributed to customers or users. Releases are distinguished from internal builds by their completeness, accompanying documentation, support commitments, and distribution channels.

In software, a release follows a lifecycle that typically includes planning, development, testing, packaging, distribution, deployment, and maintenance. Release types include major, minor, and patch releases, as well as beta releases and release candidates that precede a stable version. Versioning schemes, such as semantic versioning, express the level of changes: increments in major or minor numbers signal broader compatibility changes, while patch numbers indicate fixes.

Release notes accompany each release and summarize new features, enhancements, bug fixes, and known issues. They inform users and administrators about changes that may affect usage or compatibility. Release management is supported by version control systems, continuous integration and delivery pipelines, and automated packaging processes to produce distributable artifacts such as installers, container images, or package manager packages.

Dissemination methods vary by context and platform, including direct downloads, app stores, or repositories. Deployment strategies, such as phased rollouts, canary releases, or blue-green deployments, help manage risk by limiting exposure of new releases. Governance aspects of releases include change control, licensing, compliance, and defined support timelines. Overall, releases aim to deliver usable, well-documented software updates while balancing quality, risk, and user needs.