Alpha testing is final testing before the software is released to the general public. First, (and this is called the first phase of alpha testing), the software is tested by in-house developers. They use either debugger software, or hardware-assisted debuggers. The goal is to catch bugs quickly. Then, (and this is called second stage of alpha testing), the software is handed over to us, the software QA staff, for additional testing in an environment that is similar to the intended use.
Following alpha testing, "beta versions" of the software are released to a group of people, and limited public tests are performed, so that further testing can ensure the product has few bugs. Other times, beta versions are made available to the general public, in order to receive as much feedback as possible. The goal is to benefit the maximum number of future users.
Difference between Alpha and Beta Testing
In-house developers and software QA personnel perform alpha testing.
The public, a few select prospective customers, or the general public performs beta testing.
dear techie, it seems to be a good blog. i feel like reading through it! but whenever i am barely through 2 lines, the page refreshes. don't you think this distracts serious visitors like me? i hope you will make the necessary changes.
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks for the feedback. Now, the page won't refresh automatically; it was just a trial and error code I missed to delete.
ReplyDeleteKeep on visiting.
- Techie
Thanks for this nice differentiation.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. I got clarified my major doubt.
Thanks a lot.
Please clearify with some General Example, so that each one can understand what you want to say.
ReplyDeletehey one of the best application to illustrate the difference b/w alpha and beta testing is yahooessenger u use regularly.
ReplyDeletewhen developed completely the software personnel test the application i.e.the messenger at their site .
after that beta versions are released for public use.this u can see if u download latest version of yahoomessenger with voice.in that u can find an option to give ur feedback.so u r the public user
of the application conducting beta test and reporting the problems u face. likewise different users come out with different problems.
this is beta testing.
finally the developers modify the application with regard to the feedback from users.
then the final version is released for use
I feel that the main purpose of alpha testing is to make the software usable according to the expectations of the people who developed it. Whereas in beta testing the goal is to improve the software based on customer feedback so that when the commercial version is released, it matches the expectation of the customers, as far as possible.
ReplyDeleteIndrajit Ghatak
Manager – Testing & Support
Web Spiders
http://www.webspiders.com
wow.. thanks a lot! finally! thanks for the clarification.
ReplyDeleteanyway, guys.. pls. help me w/ my beta testing... here's the link:
http://southlink.110mb.com
thanks
am i know how to mitigate black box regression testing
ReplyDelete