beta version
3 ResultsDictionary
beta version
A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to try under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing inhouse and are generally fairly close in look,...
Dictionary
Definition: beta version
A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to try under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing inhouse and are generally fairly close in look, feel and function to the final product; however, design changes often occur as a result.
Beta testing is imperative when writing software because developers are too close to their products, and fresh eyes are essential. In addition, for Windows developers especially, it is impossible to duplicate the myriad configurations of PC hardware/software that exist, and beta versions test for potential conflicts as much as usability. In more closed environments such as the Mac and mobile phone platforms, beta testing is less about coexistence with other software and more about functionality and ease of use, the latter a long-standing joke in this industry (see user interface). See alpha test, beta test, release candidate and dogfooding.
THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY
All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.
© 1981-2010 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved.
Sponsored White Papers, Webcasts & Resources
-
Disk Performance Analyzer for Networks
What's slowing your network down? Find out fast with powerful, free software that gives you a network-wide at-a-glance view of fragmentation accumulation. Discover bottlenecks before they cost you...
-
BlackBerry launches mobile conferencing application beta
Research in Motion has launched a beta version of a new mobile conferencing application, called BlackBerry Mobile Conferencing.
-
Microsoft updates Mac Office 2008, 2004
Redmond pushes security fixes for users of the older Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac, while owners of the recently released Office 2008 receive a large dose of stability fixes (more like...
-
Images: First views of Windows Vista
Here are some early screen shots of the beta version of Microsoft's long-awaited operating system.
Additional Results
-
Nuance intros new PDF Converter version; still hates Adobe
Nuance takes another swing at Adobe with the latest version of its PDF converter software for the enterprise.
-
Safari's 'disable Flash' feature does less than it promises
This week Apple rolled out a new version of Safari and announced that the update will "disable out-of-date versions of Adobe Flash Player." Too bad the actual update doesn't do what it promises.
-
New Apple Safari disables ancient, insecure Flash versions
Apple has released Safari 5.1.7. The new version automatically disables out-of-date versions of Adobe Flash Player. Unfortunately, a closer look shows that this really isn't that big of a deal.
-
Bible App by YouVersion crosses the 50 million installed milestone
Many applications today are available on multiple platforms, which helps them achieve higher installation milestones. YouVersion's Bible App just passed the 50 million installed level, which is...
-
When is a version of Windows not Windows?
Mozilla and Google are just now complaining about Microsoft's design decisions with Windows RT. But Microsoft's response seems a bit flimsy.
-
HP prepped for cloud services public beta
HP plans to launch public betas of its HP Cloud Compute, HP Cloud Object Storage, and HP Cloud Content Delivery Network (CDN) May 10.
-
Facebook Messenger version 1.7 is out: Now it's a BBM killer
Facebook Messenger version 1.7 is out. You can now text friends for free using your existing data plan, know who's read your messages and who hasn't, as well as see where your friends are.
-
New data shows older OS X versions more susceptible to malware
New details about the extent of the Mac-specific Flashback malware epidemic emerged today. The Russian security firm that has been actively investigating infected Macs found older versions of OS X...
-
When will Windows 8 ship? Readers make their predictions
Entries are closed in my Windows 8 release schedule prediction pool. Four finalists are still in the hunt, based on their accurate predictions so far. So when do these fearless prognosticators...
-
Microsoft talks Facebook for Windows Phone version 2.5
Microsoft has unveiled what new features to expect in Facebook for Windows Phone version 2.5. The software giant has not, however, given a date to look forward to for the new release.
-
Adobe Photoshop CS6 and CS6 Extended ramp up speed and features
Adobe updates its flagship photo editing suite with improved performance, a new user interface, and powerful new features.
-
Microsoft releases 1.0 version of Skype for Windows Phone
The 1.0 version of Skype for Windows Phone is available in the Marketplace as of April 22.
-
Facebook for Android version 1.9 is out
Facebook for Android has been updated to version 1.9. In addition to the usual improved performance and bug fixes, this version adds more messaging features and shortcuts to the app's features.
-
Facebook enabling IPv6 on beta site next month
Facebook wants to bring IPv6 to beta.facebook.com on May 18, 2012, in advance of making its main site dual-stacked (supporting both IPv4 and IPv6) on June 6, 2012 (World IPv6 Launch day).
-
Microsoft opens April beta of Windows Intune service to testers
Microsoft is accepting tester applications for the next version of its Windows Intune service for managing and securing Windows PCs -- and soon iOS and Android devices.
-
Microsoft readies new version of Windows Intune
There's a new version of Microsoft's Windows Intune service coming. There's documentation about an April preview now available for download.
-
New version of Mac OS X Trojan exploits Word, not Java
A second variant of the Mac OS X Trojan referred to as Backdoor.OSX.SabPub.a or SX/Sabpab-A is exploiting a Microsoft Word security hole, not the usual Java vulnerabilities used before.
The best of ZDNet, delivered
ZDNet Newsletters
Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox
Vendor Showcase
