Just after I sent the article "Microsoft announced the development roadmap for Windows 8 official version", I found that there are still readers commenting on the article so late, which specifically asks questions about what is the GA version.
Generally speaking, Alpha, Beta, RC, and RTM have more contacts. RTW and GA are indeed confusing for some users. In brief, the following is the case -
1. Commonly used in the development process. Interpretation of the software version name:
*Pre-Alpha: Compared with the Alpha and Beta versions, this version of the function is not even perfect, just a prototype, just for the initial test;
* Alpha version: This version indicates that the software is mainly based on the implementation of software functions at this stage, usually only in the software developers internal communication, in general, the version of the software has more bugs, need to continue to modify; BR>
* Beta: This version has been greatly improved compared to the alpha version, eliminating serious errors, but there are still some defects, which need to be further tested to further eliminate, the main modification of this version For the UI like software;
* RC version: This version is quite mature, basically there is no bug that causes errors, and it is almost the same as the official version to be released;
* Release Edition: This version means " The final version, after a series of betas in the previous version, will eventually have an official version, a version that will eventually be delivered to the user. This version is sometimes referred to as the standard version. In general, Release does not appear on the software cover as a word, but instead is the symbol (R).
2. What versions are there when the software is released?
is a milestone in the software development and release process, and as a final stage, the Release version can be divided into the following versions:
RTM: release to manufacturing or Abbreviation for release to marketing, the foreign media industry is accustomed to calling it "going gold." Is it necessary to take a period of time to compress, package and distribute before the retail store is put on the shelves? Therefore, the program code must be completed some time before the official release. The completed program code is called Final.Code. After the program code is developed, the master chip is sent to the factory for a large number of compression. This version is called RTM version. Therefore, the RTM version of the program code must be the same as the official version. However, it is different from the official version: for example, the OEM in the official version cannot be upgraded, and the upgraded version will check the old operating system CD if it is newly installed. These are the different places of RTM and the official version, but their main program code. all the same. Strictly speaking, this version is still a retail version and needs to be activated.
GA: Short for General Availability, the software has completed the necessary business activities, such as promotion, advertising and so on. At this point, the software can be released via CD or online. According to convention, the interval between RTM and GA is generally from about 1 week to 1 month.
Boxed copy: The software is compressed into a disc and packaged in a designed box.
RTW: Release to Web for short, this time through web publishing software, for example, available for download at the Microsoft Download Center. No items such as discs will be produced during this process.
3, what is the wave
In addition, SP service pack as Windows7 SP1, Vista SP2 release also tend to publish in the form of partial wave (wave), the main language to distinguish?:
Wave0: Generally speaking English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, but the first wave of Windows8 will contain Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese, Korean, this is not certain.
Wave1: Generally includes 36 other languages including Simplified Chinese (but after the Win7 system, Simplified Chinese began to enter the first wave).
hastily compiled from online search, the other is insufficient or the wrong place you immediate correction.