Beta version

Beta testing
Intensive use of an almost finished version of the product (usually software or hardware) in order to detect the maximum number of errors in its work for their subsequent elimination before the final release (release) of the product to the market, to the mass consumer. Unlike alpha -testing, conducted by staff developers or testers, beta testing involves the involvement of volunteers from among the ordinary future users of the product, to which the said preliminary version is sent I product (so-called beta). Such volunteers (they are called beta testers) tend to be curious about a new product - curiosity, for the sake of which they quite agree to put up with the possibility of experiencing the consequences of unrecovered (and therefore uncorrected) errors.

In addition, beta testing Can be used as part of the product promotion strategy (for example, free distribution of beta versions allows to attract a wide attention of consumers to the final costly version of the product), as well as for getting preliminary From a wide range of future users.