[C++-sig] Software development levels

[Daryle Walker]

On 2/29/04 1:01 PM, "David Abrahams" <dave at boost-consulting.com> wrote:

> Daryle Walker <darylew at hotmail.com> writes:
[SNIP]
>> If it's missing features, I would consider it alpha-level software.  Recall
>> that the alpha/beta/final scale relates to feature completeness, NOT code
>> quality!  
> 
> I don't "recall that", and it seems to contradict what you say
> below...

I'm sorry, I forgot that the alpha/beta/final scale isn't formally taught in
general.

>> The two usually go hand in hand, but not always.  (There are
>> programs that are awesome even in the alpha stage, and craptacular final
>> stage programs.  The latter leads to accusations of "rushing the SW out the
>> door and forcing the beta-testing on [paying] users".)
> 
> If it's all about features and not quality, what do the terms "alpha
> testing" and "beta testing" mean?

Alpha stage--not feature complete
Beta stage--feature complete, but may have some bugs

Alpha testing--checking if the features that are there work
Beta testing--shaking out all the bugs

-- 
Daryle Walker
Mac, Internet, and Video Game Junkie
darylew AT hotmail DOT com