ReleaseAssets

ReleaseAssets is a term used to describe the packaged files produced and associated with a software release. These assets represent the downloadable components that end users, operations teams, or downstream systems obtain to install, run, or verify a release. They are typically stored in an artifact repository or release page and accompanied by metadata that identifies the release context.

Common types of release assets include build artifacts such as binaries and libraries, platform-specific installers, source code archives, and portable distributions. Additional assets may consist of documentation, release notes, license files, and metadata like checksums or cryptographic signatures. In modern environments, container images, virtual machine images, and other runtime artifacts may also be delivered as release assets. Each asset is usually associated with a release version, target platform, architecture, language, and dependencies to support correct installation and operation.

Asset management involves creating, signing, and validating assets, then publishing them to a controlled repository or distribution channel. Key practices include recording provenance, ensuring reproducible builds where possible, and providing integrity verification through checksums and digital signatures. Access control, auditing, and retention policies help govern distribution and lifecycle management.

In use, release assets enable reproducible deployments and reliable distribution of software to users and downstream systems. They play a central role in release engineering by encapsulating the tangible components of a release and their associated metadata for traceability and delivery.