Release version number of the software

Basic Introduction

 

Broadly speaking, there are three traditional names for testing: alpha (α), beta (Beta), and gamma (gamma), which are used to identify the stage and scope of testing. Alpha refers to the internal test, that is, CB, that is, the internal test version of the development team or the test version of the limited user experience. Beta
It refers to the beta version published for all users. Some modifications were made to become a candidate version (now called RC-Release Candidate), called gamma. Most people see that the version is already a public beta version, so it usually contains beta. Many people do not know what it means, so they mistakenly believe that the words "Beta" are tested, or that a beta version must be included to indicate it as a test version. But in actual situations, there is always a distinction between closed test, internal test, and public test, so an attribute is added and changed to closed beta and opened beta.

 

Version category

 

 

Alpha (alpha) indicates that the software is only a preliminary finished product. It is usually only communicated within the software developer, and a small part of the software is released to professional testers. In general, this version of software has many bugs (vulnerabilities). It is recommended that you do not install the software. It is mainly for developers to test the product by themselves, check whether the product has any defects or errors, and verify whether the product functions are consistent with the manual and user manual. Compared with alpha, beta has greatly improved the version to eliminate serious errors. However, there are still some defects that need to be further eliminated through large-scale release tests. This version is usually released free of charge by software companies and can be downloaded from related sites. Through tests by professional enthusiasts, the results are fed back to developers and developers can make targeted changes. This version is not suitable for general users. Trial (trial version) trial software has been quite popular in recent years, mainly thanks to the rapid development of the Internet. This version of the software usually has a time limit. If you want to continue using it after expiration, you generally have to pay a certain fee for registration or purchase. Some Trial software also imposes certain functional limitations. The Unregistered (unregistered version) unregistered version is very similar to the trial version, but the unregistered version usually has no time limit. In terms of functions, it imposes some restrictions on the official version, for example, there is a big gap in the quality of calls between the registration and unregistered versions of most VOIP software. Some of them are similar to the official version, but an annoying message box will pop up to remind you to register, such as ACDSee and smart Chen Qiao Chinese Character Input Software. The demo version, also known as the demo version, is mainly used to demonstrate some functions of the formal software. Users can learn about the basic operations of the software and expand the impact of the official product release. For a game, only one or two levels can be played. This version can also be downloaded from the Internet for free. The demo version only integrates several functions in the official version, a bit like unregistered (unregistered; unregistered ). The difference is that the demo version cannot be changed to the official version by upgrading or registering it. The above are the previous versions of the software official version. Alpha, beta, and gamma can be called test versions. There will always be multiple test versions of mature software, such as Windows 98 beta version, there are nearly 10. So many beta versions, on the one hand, try to satisfy the user's needs for the final product, and on the other hand, minimize bugs in the software. Trial, unregistered, and demo are sometimes collectively referred to as the demo version. These versions have a strong color of advertisement and are a bit preemptible. For ordinary users, they can naturally enjoy them for free. Official version The official versions of different types of software are also different. Release this version means "the final release version". After a series of test versions are released, there will eventually be an official version. for users, the software purchased for this version will never be wrong. This version is also known as the Standard Edition. In general, release does not appear on the software cover in the form of words, instead of the symbol & reg;, such as Windows NT & reg; 4.0, MS-dos & reg; 6.22. Registered is obviously the registration version opposite to unregistered. The registration and release versions are the same as the standard versions mentioned below. They are all official versions of the software, but a large part of the predecessor of the registration software is downloaded from the Internet. Standard is the most common Standard Edition, No matter what software, the Standard Edition must exist. The standard edition includes the basic components of the software and some common functions to meet the needs of general users. Its price is relatively higher than that of the first-level version. As the name suggests, deluxe is the "deluxe edition ". The deluxe edition is generally compared with the Standard Edition. The main difference is that there are several more features, and the price will certainly be higher than a large one. It is not recommended for general users. This version is usually prepared for professional users who are pursuing "perfection. If the enhance version (enhanced version or enhanced version) is a general software, it is generally called an enhanced version, and some practical new functions will be added. A game, usually called an enhanced version, will include new game scenes and game plots. This is the official release version. Reference this version of the model is common in Encyclopedia, more famous is Microsoft's Encarta series. Reference is the highest level. Its subject, image, and video editing have greatly increased compared with standard and deluxe versions, and the capacity has increased from one disc to three, and added strong interaction functions, of course, expensive. That can be said, this version of encyclopedia can be regarded as a real encyclopedia, and it is also the first choice for enthusiasts to collect. Professional (Professional Edition) Professional Edition is for some specific development tools and software. Many of the content in the Professional Edition is not available in the Standard Edition, which is extremely important for a professional software developer. For example, Microsoft's Visual FoxPro Standard Edition does not have the ability to compile into executable files, which is obviously intolerable for a complete development project. It cannot be used without FoxPro on the client. If you use the Professional Edition, there will be no such problem. Enterprise (Enterprise Edition) Enterprise Edition is the best in development software (equivalent to the reference edition in the encyclopedia ). With a set of such software, you can develop any level of application software without any obstacles. For example, the famous visual c ++ Enterprise Edition has added several additional features compared with the Professional Edition, such as SQL debugging, extended stored procedure wizard, and support for AS/400 access to OLE DB. The price of this version is unacceptable to common users. For example, Microsoft's visual studios 6.0 enterprise Chinese version costs 23000 yuan. The Ultimate Edition is literally 1. last, the final 2. basic, fundamental 3. the version named ultimate has the most powerful, complete functions, the best stability, and other excellent features. Compared with similar software, integrates all functions and provides some special services. designed for hardcore users, ultimate aims at perfection and perfection. it is also a version sought after by many users. Of course, the price is also the highest.

 

Other Versions

 

 

In addition to the versions described above, there are also some proprietary version names. Update (upgraded version) software cannot be used independently. During installation, the software of this version searches for the original official version. If it does not exist, the next step is rejected. Such as Microsoft Office 2000 and Windows 9X. The OEM version is usually bundled in hardware and not sold separately. You can sell your products to other companies to retain their copyright. The two parties will enjoy mutual benefit and win two birds in one fell swoop. The single-host (network) version of the online version is far more complex in terms of functions and structure than the single-host version. if you pay attention to the software quotation, you will find that the prices of some single-host and online versions vary greatly, some online versions require a lot of money to add even more client ports. A popular version is also known as a shared version. It features low price (or even free of charge), a single function, and a strong pertinence (of course, it also takes over the market, combating piracy and other factors ). Different from the trial version, the software of this version generally has no time limit. Of course, if you want to upgrade, you 'd better purchase the official version. The above is a brief introduction to some common software versions. As the software market behavior changes, some new version naming methods have emerged, for example, XP in Windows XP is obtained from the second and third letters in experience.