I refer you to the jargon file, which is about as good a definition that you can get:
http://info.astrian.net/jargon/terms/b/beta.html "Mostly working, but still under test; usu. used with `in': `in beta'. In the Real World, systems (hardware or software) software often go through two stages of release testing: Alpha (in-house) and Beta (out-house?). Beta releases are generally made to a group of lucky (or unlucky) trusted customers. 2. Anything that is new and experimental. "His girlfriend is in beta" means that he is still testing for compatibility and reserving judgment. 3. Flaky; dubious; suspect (since beta software is notoriously buggy)." This is the definition of a beta. Now, PHP 5 Beta 1 certainly falls well within these parameters. How far you subclassify depends on the project. MySQL betas are often recommended in production environments. PHP Betas are a bit looser about new features and signifigant changes. We aren't violating the definition of a beta, we are just defining our parameters for beta software. "Alpha," "Beta" and "Release" are classifications, and are left to the project to further define. PHP 5 is almost there, and prematurely imposing rules on ourselves because we now labeled a "beta" seems like an unwise choice. The majority of the changes marcus is talking about are not far reaching, and are really about polishing off the object model. Perfectly acceptable discussion for a beta cycle. -Sterling On Sun, 2003-06-29 at 23:54, Dan Kalowsky wrote: > There is no real reason why we can't adapt our habits to reflect the > concepts others understand them as. AKA why not just stop calling it a > BETA, and refer to it as an ALPHA? At least users would recognize what > this is. > > > On Sunday, June 29, 2003, at 11:48 PM, Rasmus Lerdorf wrote: > > > The problem here is just that the PHP notion of a beta is very > > different > > from what most of the world expects from a beta. We have cleaned up > > some > > aspects or our versioning and I was hoping we could clean this up as > > well. > > But I guess not. So, at the very least we need a versioning FAQ where > > we > > explain that a PHP beta is what most would consider an alpha, and the > > PHP > > release candidates is basically our beta stage. > > > > -Rasmus > > > > On Sun, 29 Jun 2003, Dan Kalowsky wrote: > > > >> Jon, > >> > >> I have to agree with your thinking as well. > >> > >> Although to the rest of internals, a plea. Can we please wait until > >> after a weekend to send out release notifications? > >> > >> > >> On Sunday, June 29, 2003, at 08:59 PM, Jon Parise wrote: > >> > >>> On Mon, Jun 30, 2003 at 02:28:35AM +0200, Marcus Brger wrote: > >>> > >>>> In no particular order these are the things i think should be done > >>>> before > >>>> releasing the next php 5 beta version: > >>> > >>> Without going into detail on any of these specific items, I think > >>> that > >>> the only work that should be undertaken between now and the release > >>> of > >>> PHP 5 is cleanup and bug fixing. There's plenty of that to go > >>> around, > >>> and while I realize that everyone wants to get their pet feature > >>> added > >>> to or expanded in PHP 5, we need to be realistic. > >>> > >>> Any of the items that include the words "add" or "integrate" should > >>> be > >>> left for 5.1. Any items marked as "complete" or "finish" are open > >>> for > >>> debate. Any items marked as "fix" should be addressed as soon as > >>> possible. > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Jon Parise ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) :: The PHP Project (http://www.php.net/) > >>> > >>> -- > >>> PHP Internals - PHP Runtime Development Mailing List > >>> To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php > >>> > >>> ---------------------------------------------------------------< > >> Dan Kalowsky "Momma take this badge offa me, > >> http://www.deadmime.org/~dank I can't use it anymore." > >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] - "Knockin on Heavens Door", > >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] Bob Dylan > >> > >> > >> -- > >> PHP Internals - PHP Runtime Development Mailing List > >> To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php > >> > >> > >---------------------------------------------------------------< > Dan Kalowsky "Cause fear is strong and love's > http://www.deadmime.org/~dank for everyone, who isn't me." > [EMAIL PROTECTED] - "Burden In My Hand", > [EMAIL PROTECTED] Soundgarden -- "Programming today is a race between software engineers stirring to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the universe is winning." - Unknown -- PHP Internals - PHP Runtime Development Mailing List To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
