IT Glossary for Recruiters

What is Release?

A release in software development refers to the distribution of a specific version of a software product to end-users, stakeholders, or internal teams. It marks the point when the software has passed through different stages. It includes development, testing, and quality assurance. Once these stages are complete, the software is deemed ready for deployment and use.

Key stages in the software Release process

1. Planning and Requirements Gathering
Goal: Define project scope, features, and timelines.
Main stage: Approval of the project plan and feature list.

2. Development Phase
Goal: Write code and build features.
Main stage: Completion of core functionality and first build.

3. Alpha Testing
Goal: Conduct initial internal testing.
Main stage: Identification and fixing of major bugs.

4. Beta Release
Goal: Test the product with a select group of users.
Main stage: Collect feedback and resolve critical issues.

5. Quality Assurance (QA) Testing
Goal: Ensure the software is stable and meets quality standards.
Main stage: Pass all QA tests and resolve remaining issues.

6. Release Candidate (RC)
Goal: Prepare a final version ready for release.
Main stage: Approval of the release candidate for deployment.

7. Deployment and Launch
Goal: Deploy the software to production.
Main stage: Successful deployment and user access.

8. Post-Release Monitoring
Goal: Monitor performance and user feedback.
Main stage: Address any post-launch issues or bugs.

Types of Releases

  • Major Release: Significant updates that introduce new features or major changes.Example: Upgrading from version 2.0 to 3.0 with new functionalities.

  • Minor Release: Smaller updates with enhancements or incremental changes.Example: Moving from version 2.1 to 2.2, adding minor improvements.

  • Patch Release (Hotfix): Quick fixes to address critical bugs or security issues.Example: Version 2.1.1 released to fix a security vulnerability.

  • Beta Release: A pre-release version made available for testing purposes.Example: A beta version of an app given to testers for feedback. 

Release lifecycle in software development


Development and Planning Stage: Code is written, and initial planning takes place.● Testing and Quality Assurance (QA): QA teams verify functionality, identify bugs, and ensure performance.● Deployment: The final version is deployed to production servers.● Post-Release Support: Ongoing monitoring and bug fixing after deployment.

Common tools used for Releases

Jenkins: Helps automate building and releasing software. It integrates code changes, runs tests, and deploys updates. This provides a reliable release process.GitHub Actions: Automates tasks like code building, testing, and deployment. It works directly within GitHub, making CI/CD processes faster and easier.Azure DevOps: Manages the entire software release process. It includes tools for planning, coding, testing, and deploying. This helps teams deliver high-quality software efficiently.

Why it matters for recruiters

Key Skills to Look For:● Experience managing or contributing to software releases.● Knowledge of release management tools like Jenkins or GitHub Actions.
Roles Involved:● Release Manager: Oversees the process and provides trouble-free deployment.● Developers and QA Engineers: Build and test the software.● DevOps Specialists: Handle the deployment and maintenance phases.

Best practices for software Releases

Plan and Document

Clearly define release goals and provide detailed documentation, including release notes and changelogs, for users and stakeholders.

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Use Version Control

Keep track of all changes with version control systems like Git and tag each release for easy reference and rollback.

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Automate Testing

Implement automated testing to make sure the code is bug-free and works across all supported environments.

Implement CI/CD

Set up continuous integration and continuous deployment pipelines to automate builds, testing, and deployment for faster, reliable releases.

Perform Beta Testing

Release a beta version to a limited audience, gather feedback, and address any issues before a wide release.

Rollback Plan

Have a rollback strategy in place to revert to a previous version if a critical issue is found after deployment.