Meaning of alpha, beta, and RC

Many software releases some preview or test versions before the official release, usually called "Beta" or
The "RC version", especially open-source software, and even the "alpha version", is explained below.

ALPHA: beta version. Alpha is the first Greek letter, indicating the earliest version. Generally, users do not download this version. This version contains many bugs and is not fully functional, mainly for developers and
The tester tests and finds bugs.

BETA: Public Beta. Beta is the second of the Greek alphabet. As the name suggests, this version is later than the alpha version, mainly used for testing by "tribe" users and Loyal users.
There are many bugs, but the alpha version is more stable. New features will be added to the software in this phase. If you are an enthusiast, you can download this version.

RC: full write: Release
Candidate (Candidate version), which is later than the beta version and has no more features than the final release version. This version is a bit similar to the one before the final release.
The preview version indicates that the release is not far from the final release version. As a common user, you can download this version if you are eager to use this software.

Stable version: stable version. There are stable versions in open-source software. This is the final release of open-source software. You can use it with confidence.

In addition, commercial software has the following versions:
RTM: release to manufacture. Factory version. The revised procedures have been fixed, and the factory packaging, CD printing and other work is poor.
OEM version: the manufacturer's customized version.
Eval: evaluation version. It is a version with a 30 or 60-day validity period.
RTL version: Retail. (retail version), which is the real release version, with beautiful packaging, CD, instruction manual and other things and high prices.